Cook County

Cook County Bureau of Economic Development Division, operating as the Bureau of Administration and located at 69 W Washington Street in Chicago, Illinois, is a local government entity that serves as a critical conduit for federal grant funding to support community development and economic initiatives throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. As a U.S. local government agency structured as a child entity, the Bureau of Administration receives federal grant awards and functions as a pass-through entity distributing funds to local municipalities, non-profit organizations, and service providers to implement community-based initiatives. The organization has maintained an active federal funding partnership since its registration in SAM.gov in 2009, demonstrating sustained engagement in managing complex federal grant programs at the county level.

Cook County's federal grant activity has been predominantly centered on housing, homelessness prevention, and community development programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development. The organization has consistently received formula grants under multiple HUD programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for viable urban community development and expanded economic opportunities; the Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) for affordable housing creation, rehabilitation, and tenant-based rental assistance; and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program for homeless services encompassing street outreach, emergency shelter operations, homelessness prevention, and rapid re-housing initiatives. Most recently, Cook County received significant awards including a $5.77 million HOME Investment Partnerships formula grant (performance period December 2025 to September 2034) and an $848,353 Emergency Solutions Grant (awarded December 5, 2025) for comprehensive homelessness services. Beyond housing-focused initiatives, the organization has expanded into workforce development and clean energy sectors, evidenced by a cooperative agreement with the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to lead the Chicagoland Solar Collaborative, establishing a solar industry sector partnership with training pipelines and job development. The Bureau has also served as a regional navigator and sub-recipient on federal grants administered through the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the University of Illinois, supporting apprenticeship program expansion, registered apprenticeship development, and regional economic development initiatives focused on manufacturing and defense industry resilience.