To view the final report, click the cover above, or view the Executive Summary below. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT Executive Summary

While Connecting Cook County has been adopted, the County’s work to realize the Plan and make the priorities a reality has only just begun. The Implementation tab highlights a range of activities such as current projects, the Cook County Freight Plan and Invest in Cook that demonstrate the County’s commitment to the Plan and interest in supporting transportation projects aligned with its five priorities.

Connecting Cook County, Cook County’s Long Range Transportation Plan, was adopted on August 3, 2016 by the Cook County Board of Commissioners. It is the County’s first strategic transportation plan in over 75 years and was developed to guide where and how the County invests in transportation to more fully realize its opportunities to attract and retain businesses, people, capital, and talent. Five policy priorities were developed to shape the County’s transportation policies and capital improvement program: prioritize transit and other transportation alternatives; support the region’s role as North America’s freight capital; promote equal access to opportunities; maintain and modernize what already exists; and increase investments in transportation.

2020 Invest in Cook Call for Projects and Workshop Info

On January 15, 2020, the Department of Transportation and Highways announced a fourth round of Invest in Cook, an $8.5 million program to cover some of 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 2020 application period for Invest in Cook is January 15 thru March 13, 2020. Program information and application info can be found at: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/investincook

To view the January 24 slideshow presentation, January 30 Skype presentation and Question and Answer information, please see the following: .

January 24 Workshop Presentation (pdf)

January 30 Skype Workshop Session (YouTube)

Workshop Q&A (pdf)

COOK COUNTY FREIGHT PLAN



Building upon Connecting Cook County’s priority recommendation, Support the Region’s Role as North America’s Freight Capital, the Cook County Freight Plan helps make the case for investments in infrastructure and policies that will ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods within the County.

The Freight Plan provides a deeper understanding of the economic context of goods movement, the condition of the freight transportation system, the extent of industrial land uses and challenges to their redevelopment, and the governance of the freight system across multiple agencies. Given these factors, the Freight Plan details recommendations and priority actions that the County will work with our federal, state, regional, and local partners to implement.

To learn more about the Cook County Freight Plan, click here.



President Preckwinkle Unveils Comprehensive Cook County Policy Roadmap

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle recently unveiled a comprehensive and ambitious Cook County Policy Roadmap: Five-year Strategic Plan for the Offices Under the President — the first comprehensive policy driven strategic plan for the Offices Under the President (OUP) since the administration’s 2011 transition plan. This plan establishes goals and strategies for the County’s work on justice, health, economic development and the environment and includes important infrastructure and transportation-related goals. Download the Cook County Policy Roadmap and read more here.