Disaster Recovery and Resilience - CDBG-DR

low-level alert: Public Comment Period

Cook County will accept public comments regarding its Draft Substantial Amendment to the CDBG-DR Action Plan for 32 days, beginning September 25, 2026, and ending October 26, 2026. Additional details are provided below.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding to help cities, counties and states recover from presidentially declared disasters, especially in low-income areas, subject to funding availability. 

The U.S. Congress appropriates funding for the program to rebuild affected areas and provide crucial seed money to start the recovery process. Through the broad range of recovery activities, HUD can help communities and neighborhoods that otherwise might not recover due to limited resources. 

    CDBG-DR FUNDING: 2023 AND 2024 STORMS

    In 2025, HUD awarded Cook County’s Department of Planning and Development CDBG-DR funding [Docket No. FR–6512–N–01] in response to three severe storms that occurred in 2023 and 2024.

    From June 28-July 28, 2025, the County accepted public comments on its 2025 Draft CDBG-DR Action Plan, which summarized available funding resources and related proposed activities designed to meet community and housing needs in suburban Cook County.

    HUD approved the 2025 Cook County CDBG-DR Action Plan in September 2025.

    As Cook County’s disaster recovery work moved forward, the County received more detailed recovery data and updated its Unmet Needs Assessment. Based on the updated analysis and continued program development, the County is revising its housing and infrastructure programs to better support long-term recovery.

    Beginning September 25, 2026, the County will accept public comments regarding its Draft Substantial Amendment to the CDBG-DR Action Plan for 32 days, ending October 26, 2026.

    The Draft Substantial Amendment to the CDBG-DR Action Plan is available in English and in Spanish.

    Applicable Public Comment Period: 

    32 days: September 25, 2026 - October 26, 2026

    All interested parties are encouraged to submit written comments, which must be received by 4 p.m. CT on October 26, 2026.

    Written comments must be directed to Cheryl Cooke, Deputy Director, Cook County Department of Planning and Development, at Home.Response@CookCountyil.gov or submitted through the Public Comment Form.

    Hybrid Public Hearing Invitation

    Cook County will host a hybrid public hearing to gather community input on the Substantial Amendment, with options for virtual or in-person attendance.

    Date: October 14, 2026

    Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. CT

    Virtual Option (Teams): Dial 1-872-215-6022 and enter conference ID 391 117 064# or join the meeting through Teams.

    In-Person Option: 69 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602, on Floor 22, in Conference Room H.

    To request accommodations or language translation services, email Home.Response@CookCountyIL.gov or call 312-603-1000. Translation services must be requested at least two business days before the hearing.

    This information is also posted on our Public Notices page, where it is titled "Public Notice: Draft Substantial Amendment to the CDBG-DR Action Plan” under 2026 public notices.

      CDBG-DR FUNDING: 2013 STORMS

      In 2013-2014, the Cook County Department of Planning and Development (DPD) was allocated $83,616,000 in CDBG-DR funding to address severe flooding that occurred in the spring of 2013 in suburban Cook County.

      The announcements regarding the funding are available at:

      September 2013 announcement

      March 2014 announcement

      July 2014 announcement

      Below is information on the use of this funding, including action plans, performance reporting, policies, project updates and more.

      CDBG-DR Design/Engineering Grant Program - Guide and Application

      This grant program supports the design and engineering costs related to identified stormwater issues in municipalities and unincorporated areas of suburban Cook County that sustained flooding in April-May 2013. The goal of the program is to help applicants develop projects that are shovel-ready and can then proceed to implementation with local funding or by seeking project funding from Cook County or other funders as appropriate, such as the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Applications were accepted on a rolling basis, and all funds were required to have been spent by July 31, 2019. 

       CDBG-DR Design Engineering Program Application

      CDBG-DR Action Plan and Amendments

      2025

      NOTE: All 2025 quarterly performance reports are pending federal approval.

      2024

      NOTE: All 2024 quarterly performance reports are pending federal approval.

      View full list of quarterly performance reports

      Project updates

      National Disaster Resilience Competition

      As a CDBG-DR funding recipient, DPD was invited by HUD to apply for additional disaster resources through the National Disaster Resilience Competition. Along with an array of public, private and non-profit partners, the Department submitted a Phase One application in early 2015. The Department advanced to the second and final round and submitted a Phase Two application in late 2015. While the DPD's application for funding was ultimately not awarded, the related application effort facilitated new collaborations and strengthened existing partnerships. DPD continues to work to promote disaster recovery and resilience.

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