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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
PROPOSED RESOLUTION FOR COOK COUNTY LEGAL AID FOR HOUSING AND DEBT, A VITAL COMMUNITIES PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED BY THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2021, the federal government authorized the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) which includes $1.9 trillion in federal stimulus funds to hasten the United States’ recovery from the economic and health effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, specifically, the federal government has authorized and allocated a federal award of approximately $1,000,372,385B of ARPA funding to Cook County to assist the County in its recovery from the economic and health effects of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on June 24, 2021, the Cook County American Rescue Plan Act Framework (the “ARPA Framework”) was presented to the Cook County Board of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, to effectuate the approach outlined in the ARPA Framework, the Cook County Board of Commissioners authorized the Chief Financial Officer and the Budget Director to expend a limited amount of ARPA funding via Resolution 21-3657 for the purpose of continuing and expanding existing County programs and initiatives, including any created under CRF, as well as for the purpose of building operational support capacity within County departments and offices to assist with managing the ARPA funded initiatives; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 22-0637 authorized the Chief Financial Officer, Budget Director, Chief Procurement Officer and applicable using agencies to issue grants, contracts and agreements for up to $100M in ARPA funding for Vital Community programs approved via Resolution 22-0637; and
WHEREAS, to further the Policy Roadmap Goal to pursue inclusive economic and community growth by supporting residents, growing businesses, attracting investment and nurturing talent, the Bureau of Economic Development (BED) has developed a menu of Vital Community programs and initiatives, including the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt Program, which have undergone review and approval through the Project Management Office process to utilize ARPA funding for such programs and initiatives pursuant to the issuance of grants, contracts and agreements; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 22-0637 provided that any grants issued in regard to ARPA programs in an amount over $1M shall require the approval of the Cook County Board of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 22-2807 authorized the Bureau of Economic Development to enter into a Subrecipient Agreement with the Chicago Bar Foundation in an aggregate amount of up to $13,929,400 to implement the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt Program; and
WHEREAS, Resolutions 24-2131, 24-5102, 25-0523, and 25-190 authorized the Bureau of Economic Development to amend the Subrecipient agreement with the Chicago Bar Foundation to increase the total funding to a revised aggregate amount of up to $32,503,359 to continue their implementation of the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt Program through fiscal year 2026; and
WHEREAS, as part of the County’s overall ARPA reallocation strategy referenced in Resolution 26-0031, CCLAHD received an additional $1,150,000 in ARPA funds to continue providing critical legal aid and housing stability services; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Economic Development received an award of $428,829.28 from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to support ongoing Early Resolution Program (ERP) services provided by The Chicago Board Foundation as part of CCLAHD; and
WHEREAS, $428,829.28 of the IDHS grant is allocated for a subaward to The Chicago Bar Foundation for the period of January 1 to June 30, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Economic Development desires to provide additional funding to the Chicago Bar Foundation to support their continued implementation of the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the issuance of the following agreement amendment by the BED, subject to satisfactory performance of the program by the subrecipient and subject to annual appropriation by the Board:
Amend the Subrecipient Agreement with the Chicago Bar Foundation to increase the total funding by
a. $1,150,000.00 in ARPA Funds and
b. $428,829.28 in Illinois Department of Human Services funds,
or a cumulative increase of $1,578,829.28 from the previously approved amount of $32,503,359 to a revised aggregate amount of up to $34,082,189 to continue their implementation of the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt Program. The program helps Cook County residents resolve eviction, foreclosure, consumer debt, and tax deed issues prior to court and during the court process.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Bureau Chief of BED or its designee to modify the agreements and funding allocations to all BED selected organizations based upon need and utilization; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that funding for the CCLAHD Program shall be subject to availability of funds from the Illinois Department of Human Services and appropriation of funding by the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
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