Struggling suburban Cook County residents can apply for one-time cash payment

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle discusses the COVID-19 Recovery Resident Cash Assistance Program during a news conference Monday morning. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Suburban Cook County residents struggling to make ends meet because of the pandemic can apply for a one-time cash payment of $600, county officials announced Monday.

The Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Resident Cash Assistance Program aims to distribute a total of $2.1 million to about 3,000 residents, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. The money is being provided through the federal coronavirus relief bill.

“Many of our communities are facing layoffs, furloughs and the notion of living check to check is becoming less of a possibility. People are choosing between buying groceries or paying bills,” Preckwinkle said.

To learn more about the program, go to www.cookcountyil.gov/recovery. Documentation will be requested during the application processes, which opened Monday and closes at midnight Nov. 6.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle discusses the COVID-19 Recovery Resident Cash Assistance Program during a news conference Monday at the County Building.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle takes off her face mask to speak during a news conference Monday at the County Building.