I’m proud of this budget. Across the country, local governments are facing tough choices, and here in Cook County, we see the impact of unpredictable federal funding every day.
This budget protects our residents from paying more or losing services, strengthens key programs, and fills the gaps created by the Trump Administration, ensuring our communities continue to get the services they rely on.
Key values of our budget:
🏥 Health Care for All
- Expanded behavioral health, opioid prevention, and vaccination programs
- Increased investments in public health by 15% including child lead poisoning prevention and community health workers
🏘️ Stronger, Safer Communities
- $1.5B investment in public safety, up 30% from last year.
- Over $150M in community violence intervention since 2020; $20M in FY2026.
💼 Economic Support for Families and Small Businesses
- $67 million in grants since 2020 to businesses with 20 employees or fewer.
- $7.5M to make Cook County’s guaranteed income program permanent, the largest program of its kind in the country
💰 Financial Strength for the Future
- $320M added to reserves to prepare for federal threats, including $65M for a grant risk mitigation fund, our protection against reckless federal actions that jeopardize congressionally appropriated dollars
- Credit ratings upgraded every year for the last four years.
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>> WATCH: Commissioners & community partners celebrate a budget that puts people first!
>> READ more about the budget in the Chicago Sun-Times.
Spotlight: Expanding legal services for residents targeted by ICE
We’re expanding legal services to support residents who have been targeted and detained by federal immigration enforcement. We’re doubling staff of the Public Defender’s Immigration Division to ensure everyone has access to the legal support they need—regardless of immigration status.
>> More information on the Immigration Division
In the News: In response to Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz, I joined Daniel Biss, Mayor of Evanston, and Tony McDermott, Mayor of Hammond, on WBEZ’s In the Loop to discuss our moral obligation to stand up for our neighbors against federal attacks.
All Week Long
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