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PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE TO FILE 22-2807
(Business and Economic Development Committee 5/11/2022)
Sponsored by: TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), Cook County Board of Commissioners
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ARPA VITAL COMMUNITIES PROGRAM INITIATIVES 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 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.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the issuance of the following agreements by the BED to utilize ARPA funding for a maximum term through November 30, 2026, subject to satisfactory performance of the BED programs by the respective subrecipients and subject to annual appropriation by the Board, for the BED programs and initiatives as follows:
1. Enter into a Subrecipient Agreement with the Chicago Bar Foundation in an aggregate amount of up to $13,929,400 and the Illinois Housing Development Authority in an aggregate amount of up to $4,654,400 to implement the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt Program, a program to help Cook County residents resolve eviction, foreclosure, consumer debt, and tax deed issues prior to court and during the court process.
2. Enter into a Subrecipient Agreement with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership to implement the Investing in Families and Youth Program in an aggregate amount of up to $15,000,000, to provide support to workforce and training programs that include a summer youth jobs program, sector based paid work experiences for adults, and job search and training resources to assist formerly incarcerated individuals and people with disabilities. In addition, The Partnership will develop a series of hiring events focused on suburban Cook County. Program resources will primarily support residents of suburban Cook County.
3. Enter into a Subrecipient Agreement with Cook County Forest Preserves to implement the Community Conservation Corps in an aggregate amount of up to $3,875,000. Beginning in the summer of 2022 the Forest Preserves will engage targeted youth and adults from Cook County in meaningful hands-on job training, through a five-week summer program. Participants receive hands-on job training, attend networking events, and earn valuable certifications while improving Cook County Forest Preserves. In subsequent years, program will feature an expanded career pathways focus and new partners.
4. Enter into a Subrecipient Agreement with Greater Chicago Food Depository to implement the Capacity-Building Investments in Food Access Sites Program in an aggregate amount of up to $2,000,000 to make strategic investments in existing and new food bank and food pantry partners to increase their capacity, reach, and impact, particularly in low-income and minority communities where COVID-19 has exacerbated food insecurity. The Program aims to increase access to nutritious food and improve the number and quality of food access and distribution sites across suburban Cook County by supporting partner operations and site upgrades, including food procurement, transport and cold storage. Through this program, the County has a unique opportunity to build a better, stronger, more resilient emergency food system.
5. Enter into Subrecipient Agreements with shelter agencies BEDS Plus in an aggregate amount of up to $1,150,000, Connections for the Homeless in an aggregate amount of up to $1,875,000, Housing Forward in an aggregate amount of up to $2,300,000, and South Suburban PADS in an aggregate amount of up to $1,025,000 to implement the Hotel-Based Sheltering Program. Under this Program, agencies provide safe and dignified sheltering, meals, and case management services, and work to connect residents and families to permanent housing options. People experiencing homelessness are at greater risk for serious COVID-19 infection. This program aims to shorten the experience of homelessness and improve long-term health outcomes of participants, with a goal of decreasing the need for hotel-based sheltering as the homeless transition to new fixed-site shelters or other shelter options are established.
6. Enter into a Subrecipient Agreement with the North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau (NSCVB) to implement the Suburban Cook County Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Initiative in an aggregate amount of up to $10,000,000. Under this initiative, the NSCVB will manage and coordinate the five suburban Convention and Tourism Bureaus, designated by the State of Illinois, to develop and implement a strategic action plan to support the recovery of the travel, hospitality, and tourism sectors, that have been severely impacted by COVID-19.
7. Enter into a Subrecipient Agreement with Southland Development Authority (SDA) to implement the Building Capacity in the Southland Program in an aggregate amount of up to $2,000,000 to provide business advising services through an extensive network of mentors and industry specialists. Assistance includes from short-term technical support to long-term partnerships to develop and implement sustainable business growth plans and secure financing. This Program is available to businesses and entrepreneurs in approximately 40 suburbs in southern Cook County, The SDA drives comprehensive, transformative and inclusive economic growth in Cook County’s South Suburbs.
8. Enter into a Subrecipient Agreement with the Women's Business Development Center to develop and implement Cook County’s Small Business Agenda, which includes the Cook County Small Business Source (formerly the Small Business Assistance Program) in an aggregate amount of up to $15,700,000. Launched in 2020 in response to the challenges small businesses faced in the wake of COVID-19, the Cook County Small Business Source will continue to support a coordinated network of business service organizations that provide one-on-one business advising, webinars and outreach activities for small businesses with less than 20 employees. The program will also include the development of a Cook County “one-stop shop” for businesses, development of parameters and guidelines for the forthcoming Small Business Grant Program(s), development of inclusive procurement strategies and other activities to assist businesses to continue to recover from COVID.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognizes that time is of the essence and authorizes the Chief of the Bureau of Economic Development to negotiate and enter into the various agreements that outlines the specific metric and impact data, and compliance with all ARPA reporting and monitoring requirements with the agencies listed above to implement the above programs.
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.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding for the BED ARPA Programs shall be subject to availability of funds from the United States Government and appropriation of funding by the Cook County Board of Commissioners.