Transportation in Cook County is getting a nearly $8 million boost, according to an announcement made by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. The funds, part of the 'Invest in Cook' grant program, will be sprinkled across 35 distinct projects aimed at improving transit, pedestrian, bicycle, freight, and road amenities. Cook County's official website reports that these initiatives range from local townships, and nonprofits, to municipalities, signaling a concerted effort to revitalize an array of transportation pathways.
Since its inception in 2017, Invest in Cook has injected over $64 million into 277 such projects, reflecting President Preckwinkle's aim to stoke the fires of development in towns thirsty for transformation. The windfall of funds is set to leverage additional local, state, and federal monies, with past efforts tripling each Invest in Cook dollar with external capital. As announced by Cook County's news release, this year's fund allocation is poised to have the highest leverage ratio in the program’s history.
Stemming from a selection of 78 keen applicants, these 35 projects were handpicked through a meticulous vetting process by the County’s Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH). Each was measured against the upgrading yardstick of the wider 'Connecting Cook County' initiative, a sweeping transportation plan tethered to the future prosperity of the region. "Providing better transportation options is part of how my administration is expanding access to opportunities across the County," President Preckwinkle expressed. The focus remains sharp on low and moderate-income communities, ensuring a 62% channeling of resources towards the ones in need.
Projects are assayed on their potential to stir economic activity, champion regional transportation needs, and bridge the divide to access. DoTH has conducted interviews and performed both quantitative and qualitative analyses, laying out transparent criteria for selection. According to insights from Cook County's communication, this year’s handpicked initiatives promise to steer Cook County into a brighter, more connected future. For those looking to delve into the specifics of the selected projects, the complete list is up for review at Cook County's 'Invest in Cook' website page.
