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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE COOK COUNTY LEGAL AID FOR HOUSING AND DEBT FY2027 GRANTEE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CHICAGO BAR FOUNDATION
WHEREAS, the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development (BED) seeks to enhance quality of life through equitable community and economic development, including initiatives designed to strengthen and support residents; and
WHEREAS, the Office of the Chief Judge (OCJ) serves the Circuit Court of Cook County and provides support and services to the judiciary, the public, and court-involved individuals; and
WHEREAS, since 2020, BED and OCJ have partnered to administer the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) program to help Cook County residents resolve eviction, foreclosure, consumer debt, and tax deed issues prior to court and during the court process; and
WHEREAS, the Early Resolution Program (ERP), one component of CCLAHD, provides free legal help for renters facing eviction, small landlords dealing with eviction-related issues, and individuals with consumer debt challenges or past-due property taxes; and
WHEREAS, the ERP connects participants with legal aid, mediation services, and referrals to additional programs, such as rental assistance, to help avoid unnecessary eviction or debt judgments; and
WHEREAS, the ERP has served almost 133,000 residents since 2022, increased residents’ participation in their court cases, reduced default eviction and consumer debt judgments, and contributed to a reduction in the number of evictions placed with the Sheriff; and
WHEREAS, the ERP has been recognized as an innovative public-private partnership that has transformed the court process for eviction and consumer debt cases in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) has been Cook County’s lead administrative partner for ERP since 2020, overseeing and coordinating the activities of a set of legal aid, mediation and outreach organizations that are the core of the ERPA model; and
WHEREAS, BED and OCJ desire to continue ERP in FY2027 and have designated CBF as the sole source grantee, in accordance with the Cook County Open Call Policy, to continue its lead administrative role on ERP; and
WHEREAS, the FY2027 BED budget, subject to Cook County Board approval, includes $7,496,000 to support the ERP for a performance period beginning December 1, 2026, through November 30, 2027; and
WHEREAS, OCJ intends to utilize $850,000 of consumer debt filing fee revenue to support ERP during the performance period beginning December 1, 2026, through November 30, 2027; and
WHEREAS, BED and OCJ will provide monitoring, performance management, financial review, and compliance reporting for the ERP throughout the duration of the performance period;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby approves and authorizes BED and OCJ to enter into a grant agreement with CBF in an aggregate amount of up to $8,346,000 to implement the ERP component of the CCLAHD program during FY2027 to continue providing services to Cook County residents facing eviction, consumer debt and tax deed issues, and subject to availability of future funding and satisfactory performance, BED and OCJ may renew the grant agreement for FY2028; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Bureau Chief of BED and the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County or their designees to modify the agreement and funding allocation based upon need and utilization provided that the total agreement value does not exceed $8,346,000; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be distributed to the participating organizations and relevant County offices as appropriate.
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