Grant opportunity: Invest in Cook Call for Projects

The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways has announced a fourth round of Invest in Cook Call for Projects, an $8.5 million program to cover the cost of planning and feasibility studies, engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and construction associated with transportation improvements sponsored by local and regional governments and private partners. This program is designed to solicit applications for improvements consistent with the five priorities of Connecting Cook County, the County’s first long-range transportation plan, as well as the recommendations of the Cook County Freight Plan.

Invest in Cook ensures that limited resources are spent wisely by identifying the universe of transportation proposals and prioritizing them using objective and transparent selection criteria. Just as important, it strengthens the partnerships and strategic matching of funding from various sources to expedite the completion of projects vital to a stronger economy and more livable communities.

Eligible Applicants and Projects

Eligible applicants include local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, and any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for transportation or recreational trails within Cook County. Private for-profit or non-profit organizations can submit project proposals but they are required to partner with a public sponsor that meets the above criteria. Lead applicants are limited to a single project application. Staff salaries are not an eligible expense under this program. Read more.

Deadlines and How to Apply The call for projects opens on January 15, 2020 and ends at 5:00 PM CST on March 13, 2020.

Program Description: IIC Program Description 2020 Applicants should read the detailed description of the program before filling out and submitting an application.

Application Form: Application Form 2020 Applicants must fill out the 2020 application form to be considered for an Invest in Cook grant.

Application Submission https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/investincook2020

CCDOTH is hosting two Invest in Cook Workshops for potential applicants on Jan. 24 or Jan 30, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at  69 West Washington, 22nd Floor Conference Center, Room 22AB, or via Skype. To attend either session, please RSVP to Tim Egan at 312-603-1534 or tim.egan@cookcountyil.gov