FY 2026 Cook County Budget: $10.01 billion

Highlights:

Heath Fund: $5.14 billion

Cook County Health(CCH) serves 300,000 patients annually at its hospitals and community health centers. In the coming year, CCH will advance behavioral health and neuroscience care across the system. Stroger Hospital will also expand oncology, cardiovascular services and increase surgical volume, while Provident Hospital will grow gastrointestinal and women’s health programs. CCH is also embracing technology and value-based care models to enhance patient outcomes and ensure long-term stability.

CountyCare, which was recently ranked as the highest quality Medicaid managed care plan in Illinois by the National Committee on Quality Assurance, has nearly 400,000 members. In FY26, the health plan will be focused on supporting members in retaining coverage and increasing members’ utilization of CCH’s health care services.

Public Safety: $1.51 billion

A total of $1.51 billion, or 56.1%, of the total approved General Fund expenditures is for the public safety system. The budget includes $28.6 million dollar (18%) budget increase for the State’s Attorney’s office, $69.5 million (10%) for the Sheriff’s Office and $47.7 million (15%) increase for the Office of the Chief Judge. 

Cook County has invested over $110 million in Community Violence Intervention and other prevention strategies. Cook County Health has invested $44 million in behavioral health services through the Stronger Together initiative. And this summer, Cook County awarded an additional $25 million to support intervention and wraparound services for survivors of gun violence. This fiscal year, the County will invest $20 million in violence prevention.