title
PROPOSED GRANT AWARD
Department: Office of Economic Development
Grantee: Bureau of Economic Development, Cook County
Grantor: State of Illinois, Department of Human Services
Request: Authorization to accept an Illinois Department of Human Services Grant
Purpose: The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has awarded the Bureau of Economic Development (BED) a $428,829.28 grant to support the eviction component of the County's Legal Aid for Housing and Debt program, including legal consultations, mediation, settlements, and referrals to rental assistance and extended legal representation, where applicable.
Grant Amount: $428,829.28
Grant Period: 7/1/2025 - 6/30/2026 (Note funds will be spent 1/1/2026-6/30/2026)
Fiscal Impact: None
Accounts: N/A.
Concurrences:
The Budget Department has received all requisite documents and determined the fiscal impact on Cook County, if any.
Summary: On January 2, 2026, the Bureau of Economic Development (BED), was awarded $428,829.28, from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) as described in the attached Notice of State Award.
These funds will support the ongoing Early Resolution Program (ERP) services provided by The Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) as a part of Cook County's Legal Aid for Housing and Debt program (CCLAHD). The ERP provides Cook County tenants and small landlords robust court-based eviction early resolution services. Through ERP, residents can access legal advice and brief legal services, including document drafting and settlement negotiation, mediation, settlement review, connections to rental assistance, and referrals to extended legal representation.
BED respectfully requests approval to accept the IDHS grant, and that the Bureau Chief of Economic Development or his/her designee be authorized to execute, on behalf of the County of Cook, any and all documents necessary to further the approval herein, including but not limited to, the grant agreement with IDHS...
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