Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced on Mar. 21 that applications are now open for the Department of Planning and Development’s Public Service grants, funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) programs.
These programs aim to support community and economic development throughout Cook County by providing resources to local organizations. The funding is intended to help increase the capacity of these organizations to deliver critical services and promote economic growth in the region.
“Making equitable investments in public service-focused economic development projects throughout the County has always been priority of my administration,” said President Preckwinkle. “CDBG and ESG funds play a critical role in that mission – these federal dollars provide resources to increase the capacity of local organizations to deliver critical services and support economic development throughout our region.”
The CDBG program has supported community development needs across suburban Cook County for over 40 years. In Program Year 2021, 48 CDBG Public Service Projects received $1,379,000, three planning projects were awarded $285,000, five microenterprise projects received $584,000, and 17 ESG applicants were granted a total of $881,906. Bureau of Economic Development Chief Xochitl Flores said, “Both social services and community development are essential components of the County’s work to build thriving communities. We hope to bridge boundaries and utilize federal resources to create equitable solutions for all suburban Cook County residents and businesses to thrive.”
CDBG Public Service applications typically fund activities such as job creation projects, crime prevention efforts, childcare services, health services including substance abuse counseling and treatment, fair housing counseling, education programs, energy conservation initiatives, senior citizen services, homelessness support services, welfare assistance excluding income payments, down payment assistance programs, and recreational services. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides these funds annually.
The ESG program focuses on engaging individuals experiencing homelessness or families living on the street by improving emergency shelters’ quality and number; helping operate shelters; providing essential shelter resident services; rapidly re-housing those experiencing homelessness; and preventing homelessness among families or individuals. Funds may be used for street outreach, emergency shelter operations, homelessness prevention measures, rapid re-housing assistance programs, or Homeless Management Information System activities.
Applications from units of government or nonprofit organizations will be accepted until April 15 at 5 p.m. Central Standard Time. A virtual workshop will be held on March 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., offering more details about both grant programs.
