Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) applications (2026)

low-level alert: 2026 CDBG and ESG applications closed

Applications for the 2026 Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant programs are now closed.
Service Information

Overview

Each year, the Cook County Department of Planning and Development, which is part of the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, accepts, reviews and selects applications for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) programs through a competitive process.

Cook County then distributes these funds to municipalities and nonprofit organizations to support infrastructure improvements, as well as social services and homeless prevention in income-eligible suburban Cook County communities. 

Details on eligibility, the application process and an upcoming webinar are featured below.

Program Year 2026

Applications for the 2026 CDBG programs--Capital Improvement (includes economic development and demolition) and Public Service (includes planning)--as well as for the 2026 ESG program were open from January 14, 2026, until March 20, 2026. Applications are now closed.

Eligibility

CDBG-Capital Improvement: Suburban municipalities and nonprofit organizations serving suburban communities

CDBG-Public Service: Nonprofit organizations serving suburban communities

ESG: Nonprofit organizations serving suburban communities

Review the application guides/manuals below for more information.

Application Process

Application submissions were required to be completed through an online process. Steps included:

  • Review the application guide/manual for the specific program you wish to apply to.
  • Prepare the application PDF for the program you wish to apply to--as listed below--as well as any other required or supplemental documents for your submission. Download the PDF, fill it out, save it, and then upload it as part of your official submission (available below). Be sure to keep the document as a fillable PDF. We recommend not filling out the application PDF in your browser. Do not submit a scanned copy of your application.
  • Complete the online submission form below to submit your application materials--be sure to include the application PDF--before the deadline. Make sure you have all materials ready to submit. You will not be able to save as you go.
    • CDBG-Capital Improvement submission form (Applications now closed.)
    • CDBG-Public Service submission form (Applications now closed.)
    • ESG submission form (Applications now closed.)

All applications were due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026.

NOTE: CDBG nonprofits may apply for one CDBG Capital Improvement, Economic Development or Demolition project or one CDBG Public Service/Planning project. There is a limit of one funding application per agency.

Webinar

The Cook County Department of Planning and Development held a webinar for interested 2026 CDBG and ESG applicants on February 4, 2026. The webinar provided an overview of program-compliance guidelines, along with detailed information on applying for the grants.

The webinar was be held in conjunction with the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways' 2026 Invest in Cook program.

  • NOTE: The CDBG and ESG portion of the webinar begins at about the 1:06:20 mark.

 

Other Resources 

Questions?

For more information, contact:

sylvia.parham@cookcountyil.gov (CDBG-Capital Improvement)

pamela.white@cookcountyil.gov (CDBG-Public Service)

ericka.branch@cookcountyil.gov (ESG)

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