Second Chance Month and Road Home Shine Light on Importance of Career and Support Services for Reentry Community

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today officially announced the expansion of its Reentry Navigation Initiative: The Road Home program serving residents returning from incarceration. The expansion was announced in partnership with the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development (BED), the Cook County Justice Advisory Council (JAC), and The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) as part of April’s Second Chance Month observance.

“I am proud that the County’s additional investment of federal ARPA funds into the Road Home program expands these services to those already home, and expands the program’s service area to include Chicago Heights, Calumet City, Harvey, Markham, Dixmoor, Robbins, Dolton and other underserved villages in Thornton Township and south suburban Cook County,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “It is for that reason we seek to designate April as Second Chance Month in Cook County, aligning with our celebration on the national level.”

In collaboration with BED and the JAC, The Partnership created the Cook County Coordinated Reentry Council and held seven months of convenings resulting in recommendations for systemic changes to the region’s reentry system. This effort included The Reentry Navigation Initiative: The Road Home Program, a 22-month demonstration project that launched in early 2022. It addresses people’s holistic needs upon returning to Cook County before they are released from incarceration in Illinois’ penal institutions. The Road Home Program is supported with funds provided by Cook County and the Department of Justice and has thus far served more than 100 returning residents.

Today’s announcement highlighted the County’s investment of an additional $450,000 in federal ARPA funds to expand the Road Home program, allowing The Partnership serve those already ‘home,’ post-release, in suburban Cook County. The Road Home expansion provides navigation, career coaching, training, support services and paid work experience to participants. This initiative includes an emphasis on workforce development, occupational training and permanent unsubsidized job placement.


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Second Chance Month and Road Home Shine Light on Importance of Career and Support Services for Reentry Community Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today officially announced the expansion of its Reentry Navigation Initiative: The Road Home program serving residents returning from incarceration. The expansion was announced in partnership with the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development (BED), the Cook County Justice Advisory Council (JAC), and The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) as part of April’s Second Chance Month observance. “I am proud that the County’s additional investment of federal ARPA funds into the Road Home program expands these services to those already home, and expands the program’s service area to include Chicago Heights, Calumet City, Harvey, Markham, Dixmoor, Robbins, Dolton and other underserved villages in Thornton Township and south suburban Cook County,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “It is for that reason we seek to designate April as Second Chance Month in Cook County, aligning with our celebration on the national level.” In collaboration with BED and the JAC, The Partnership created the Cook County Coordinated Reentry Council and held seven months of convenings resulting in recommendations for systemic changes to the region’s reentry system. This effort included The Reentry Navigation Initiative: The Road Home Program, a 22-month demonstration project that launched in early 2022. It addresses people’s holistic needs upon returning to Cook County before they are released from incarceration in Illinois’ penal institutions. The Road Home Program is supported with funds provided by Cook County and the Department of Justice and has thus far served more than 100 returning residents. Today’s announcement highlighted the County’s investment of an additional $450,000 in federal ARPA funds to expand the Road Home program, allowing The Partnership serve those already ‘home,’ post-release, in suburban Cook County. The Road Home expansion provides navigation, career coaching, training, support services and paid work experience to participants. This initiative includes an emphasis on workforce development, occupational training and permanent unsubsidized job placement. Read More









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Paid for by Preckwinkle for President. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board's official website, http://elections.il.gov/, or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois. All contributions are reported to the State Board of Elections. Contributions are not accepted from employees of Cook County. Companies holding contracts with the Cook County are limited to $750. Political contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes.