Cook County Council unanimously approves nearly $10 billion budget for 2025

Cook County commissioners unanimously approved a $9.94 billion budget Thursday for 2025, including more money for reproductive health services, as advocates brace for a Donald Trump presidential administration that would could cancel the protection.

Democratic Commissioner Bridget Degnen led the effort amend the budget to provide $2 million in grants to community organizations that provide reproductive health services. These organizations help cover costs for everything from hotel stays and travel to medical bills for people seeking abortions.

The county health system believes that it would be the first time in recent memory when funds of this kind are included in the county budget. Chicago and Illinois already offer financial support for people seeking reproductive care.

“This budget truly reflects our moral compass, one centered on freedom, autonomy and equity,” Degnen said in the downtown council chamber. “Reproductive freedoms are a human right, that women touch every man in this room. It’s not just a women’s issue. Women take care of their families. Women care about everyone. … Anti-choice advocates with control of the federal government right now and with the reversal of Roe leave our access to reproductive health under attack.”

Republican Commissioner Sean Morrison, who is only republican in the 17-member board, it was the only “no” vote on Degnen’s amendment.

Degnen’s effort comes as abortion rights advocates prepare for a Trump presidency this could once again change where and how people can end a pregnancy, if they are allowed to. Trump appointed justices to the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade more than two years ago, leaving access to abortion up to individual states.

This led to a patchwork of state bans and other restrictions in much of the Midwest and South, feeding a flood of people in Illinoiswhere abortion rights are protected. More people are traveling to Illinois than any other state to terminate a pregnancy, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion health research and policy organization.

Ahead of the budget vote, abortion providers and advocates in Chicago laid out what’s at stake and how county grants could help. They described their patients — a woman struggling in an abusive relationship, a single parent working and going to college, and patients who show up bleeding early in pregnancy or their fetuses won’t survive — and how this funding comes in time which suppliers are struggling to keep up with the bills.

“Along with other providers in Cook County, we are facing a significant budget shortfall,” said Dr. Allison Cowett, medical director of Family Planning Associates, one of the largest independent abortion clinics in the country. “This funding will not only support the cost of patient care, it will also enable patients to reach our doors in the first place.”

Three major national abortion funds they cut back or financial support has ceased entirely. Organizations like the Chicago Abortion Fund, which is one of the largest of its kind in the country, could apply for county grant funding. CAF tried to fill the funding gap created by national abortion funds. CAF covers everything from travel and childcare to medical bills for patients.

The county budget also includes a $15 Million Homeowner Relief Fund to help people struggling to pay their property tax bills, and the county plans to expand access to mental health care for Spanish-speaking patients. The wait to see a Spanish-speaking psychiatrist can be up to a year, said Democratic Commissioner Alma Anaya.

The county also plans to invest in generative artificial intelligence to help county workers do their jobs more efficiently, a fund to help communities that help migrants or hit hard by flooding and put solar panels on county facilities to ultimately reduce energy costs and save the county money.

The county must have contracts in place by Dec. 31 to spend all of the $1 billion in federal pandemic relief dollars the county received. Last month, the county had employed 84% of the money. County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and her finance team promise to meet the deadline.

After the budget vote, Preckwinkle said the latest financial roadmap after more than a decade as president doesn’t come without layoffs, tax increases or cuts to vital public services.

“We’ve seen a pandemic, numerous economic risks and persistent budget challenges, but the county has been resilient,” Preckwinkle said.

Her budget team put its foot down, she said, not to spend more than the county did.

Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is a former county commissioner, and the Chicago City Council are still trying to figure out how to close a massive budget gap for next year.

The county budget for 2025 starts on December 1.

Kristen Schorsch covers public health and Cook County for WBEZ.