Governor Pritzker and President Preckwinkle Announce Combined $1.5 Billion in Medical Debt Forgiveness for Cook County Residents

Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Governor JB Pritzker announced that alongside national nonprofit partner Undue Medical Debt, Cook County and the State of Illinois have successfully erased more than $1.5 billion in medical debt held by Cook County residents. The County has also committed to continuing to sustain this effort beyond the expiration of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in 2026, ensuring that medical debt relief remains part of its broader commitment to advancing health equity and economic stability for residents.

"Medical debt is a weight that follows families for years and disproportionately affects the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle. “Our work shows that residents already facing systemic barriers and personal hardship also have to contend with an expensive and broken healthcare system. I’m proud to partner with Governor Pritzker to bring meaningful relief and peace of mind to hundreds of thousands of residents of Cook County.”

"The Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program is providing working parents, students, and seniors a sense of financial security and the ability to live without the crushing burden of overwhelming medical costs," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Illinois is a nationwide leader erasing medical debt for our residents in large part to President Preckwinkle's trailblazing advocacy for the residents of Cook County. Alongside President Preckwinkle's program, the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program is making healthcare more accessible and affordable in Illinois and continues to be a testament to the ingenuity we’ve displayed in delivering on that commitment."

“Forgiving medical debt isn’t just compassionate, it’s smart economic policy,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “Debt relief increases economic activity, stabilizes households, and strengthens communities. All of this creates a stronger Illinois. When government works with purpose and understanding, it can change lives—and strengthen our economy at the same time.” 

The program, first launched by President Preckwinkle in 2022, purchases outstanding medical debt for less than a penny on the dollar, eliminating a crushing financial burden for County families.

Cook County was the first local government in the nation to use ARPA funding to abolish medical debt. The County program has eliminated over $820 million by leveraging $7 million in ARPA funds through the Cook County Medical Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI). Through the statewide Illinois Medical Debt Relief program, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family services has additionally secured more than $1.1 billion in forgiveness across Illinois, which includes $700 million in Cook County, reflecting Governor Pritzker’s broader commitment to making life more affordable for all Illinois families. The combined debts erased across Cook County totals about $1.5 billion, the most medical debt forgiven at the County-level anywhere in the United States.

Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States and disproportionately affects Black and Latino communities. Over 770,000 Cook County residents have received debt forgiveness between the Cook County and Illinois programs, which is over 15% of the total county population.

"I'm extremely grateful for having this debt erased,” said Cook County resident L.D. "During one of the most painful chapters of my life, after my daughter was rushed to the ER, that $3,500 bill was a weight I carried every day. Knowing it's gone — that there are people out there who care — it just gave me a little more hope."

Eligible debts are erased automatically without individual action or applications required. Recipients are notified by mail in a branded Undue Medical Debt envelope informing them that their debts have been permanently abolished.

As the first local government to partner with Undue Medical Debt, the County set a national example for how public funds can be effectively used to deliver immediate relief. Over 25 state and local governments have followed Cook County’s lead, establishing their own medical debt programs. The movement continues to grow, and Cook County continues to encourage hospitals and medical providers serving local residents to participate in the program to expand its reach.

Learn more about Cook County’s effort: https://arpa.cookcountyil.gov/medical-debt-relief-initiative

Learn more about the State of Illinois’s effort: https://hfs.illinois.gov/info/medicaldebtrelief.html