Application Period Opens for Cook County Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction Grants

The Cook County Justice Advisory Council Seeks to Award up to $65 million in grants funded by the American Rescue Plan Act

Today, the Cook County Justice Advisory Council (JAC) released the formal application for the 2022 Gun Violence Prevention & Reduction Grant opportunity. The grant program is designed as a robust response to the high levels of gun violence experienced in certain community areas of Cook County, coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic.  

The Cook County Gun Violence Prevention & Reduction Grants are funded through the federal Covid-19 recovery initiative, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). In preparation for the historic level of funding coming from the federal government, Cook County has engaged with partners at the City of Chicago and State of Illinois to plan for effective and coordinated distribution of Violence Prevention funding.

“Addressing the gun violence crisis we are experiencing in Cook County is one of our highest priorities,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “This is why we have prioritized the Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction Grant Program as one of the first ARPA-funded initiatives the county is implementing. This investment will result in long-term, community-driven solutions to gun violence. When we stabilize and support our communities struggling with crime and violence, we honor our commitment to equity and we increase safety for all residents.”

The Justice Advisory Council has developed this grant opportunity to be accessible for both large and small programs that prevent or reduce instances of gun violence. The Cook County Gun Violence Prevention & Reduction Grants will fund a variety of violence prevention strategies including mental health and employment services, street outreach and case management as well as other services which support residents at-risk of being involved in community violence. Up to $65 million in grant funds may be awarded during this grant cycle.

“The Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction Grants represent a new chapter for our county,” said Avik Das, Executive Director of the Justice Advisory Council. “This level of funding will help us build a sustainable infrastructure of programs and services that support at-risk residents and lead to safer communities. We are honored to be stewarding this vital and historic funding for Cook County. In the coming months, we hope to receive many compelling applications that leverage creative community-driven solutions and evidence informed violence prevention strategies. Through partnering with organizations working on-the-ground, we seek to support and uplift our communities most impacted by gun violence.”

Key Dates:

• March 8, 2022 - Application materials and guide available
• March 14, 2022, 10:00am - Optional Pre-Submittal Conference
• April 11, 2022 - Applications due for proposals over $1.5 million 
• May 9, 2022 - Applications due for proposals $1.5 million and under 

For more information and application materials, visit cookcountyil.gov/JACGrants