Invest in Cook (IIC) Grant Program

The Invest in Cook grant program is administered by the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH), which has operated the initiative since 2017. It aims to support local and regional transportation improvements throughout Cook County by funding various phases of project development. These include planning and feasibility studies, engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and construction. The annual budget for the program is $8.5 million, and it is one of the key mechanisms by which the County implements its Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), known as Connecting Cook County. This plan promotes multimodal connectivity, regional economic development, and infrastructure modernization. Invest in Cook supports projects that align with the five policy priorities of Connecting Cook County: prioritizing transit and other transportation alternatives, supporting the region's role as a freight hub, promoting equal access to opportunities, maintaining and modernizing existing infrastructure, and increasing investments in transportation. Eligible project types include transit improvements, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, freight and roadway enhancements, bridge work, demonstration projects for new technology, and infrastructure supporting economic development. The fund is designed to assist a wide range of development stages, from early planning through construction, fostering high-quality project development and enhancing eligibility for federal funding. Applicants eligible to apply include local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, public land agencies, and other government entities responsible for transportation or recreational trails within Cook County. Private for-profit and nonprofit organizations may also apply, provided they partner with a public sponsor that meets the program's eligibility criteria. Each municipal or township government is limited to submitting one project application. The program does not fund staff salaries, diesel-based rolling stock, stand-alone lighting projects, or electric vehicle infrastructure. Applications for the 2026 cycle open on January 14, 2026, and are due by 5:00 p.m. on March 20, 2026. Submissions must be completed electronically through the Cook County DoTH Invest in Cook submission form. Applicants are required to download and fill out the Application Form and Project Schedule Template and upload these along with relevant documents, such as plans, maps, cost estimates, and resolutions. The program will host a virtual informational webinar on February 4, 2026, to assist prospective applicants. Applicants needing support may contact Laura McFadden via email or phone. The review process includes an initial application quality check followed by scoring based on performance measures tied to Connecting Cook County priorities. Projects are evaluated by mode (Transit, Bicycle and Pedestrian, Freight, and Roadways) using a blend of quantitative metrics (e.g., access to jobs, ADA improvements, safety impacts) and qualitative assessments (e.g., project readiness, applicant capacity). Priority is given to projects in disadvantaged communities and those with multi-jurisdictional or regional significance. Successful applicants will be notified in July 2026 following Board approval. While a 1:1 local match is expected for very low- and low-need communities, high-need and very high-need communities may not need to contribute a match. The County may also provide technical assistance and, in certain cases, lead projects for applicants lacking capacity. Quarterly status updates and milestone tracking will be required from awardees throughout the project’s development.

Priority given to projects serving disadvantaged communities or aligning with multimodal and regional transportation priorities.