A suburban Cook County program aimed at improving home safety and efficiency has completed upgrades for hundreds of families, providing relief from health hazards and reducing energy costs. The Healthy Homes for Healthy Families initiative, launched with federal funding, has served 357 households across 51 municipalities in the suburban Chicago area.
Linda Jones-Woodley, a 73-year-old resident of Westchester, experienced firsthand the benefits of the program. After years of struggling with her grandson’s asthma attacks, which she initially attributed to dust, the home remodel revealed black mold in bedroom window cracks. The discovery prompted comprehensive renovations, including new windows, roof replacement, insulating the crawlspace, and installing a railing near stairs. These improvements not only addressed health risks but also enhanced the home’s energy efficiency, allowing Woodley to qualify for Illinois Solar for All, a state program that installed solar panels on her roof.
Woodley said the upgrades have made a significant difference in her family’s comfort and finances. She noted that her electricity bills have dropped markedly, from $184.62 in 2025 to $54.75 in October of the current year. She also praised the program for addressing long-standing issues such as gaps in the brickwork that had previously let bees into the house during the summer.
Healthy Homes for Healthy Families is a collaboration between the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability, the Cook County Department of Public Health, and Elevate Energy, a local nonprofit focused on clean energy accessibility. Elevate coordinated outreach and participant selection, prioritizing lower-income communities and areas with higher incidences of lead poisoning. From over 1,000 public applications, 357 households were chosen to receive renovations based on individual needs.
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which allocated billions in COVID-19 recovery funds, Cook County allocated approximately $29 million to this program. Officials say the initiative addresses a broad range of issues including lead mitigation, energy efficiency, and safety modifications to prevent injuries among older adults.
Suzanne Malec-McKenna, director of the county’s Department of Environment and Sustainability, emphasized the program’s multifaceted benefits, noting its contributions to public health, quality of life, and climate goals. The focus on suburban Cook County reflects a division of resources, with the city of Chicago operating its own separate programs under federal pandemic relief funding.
Contractors involved in the renovations were selected with an eye toward supporting minority- and women-owned businesses, which required additional guidance but aimed to expand equitable participation in the construction sector. The program wrapped up by the end of October 2026, with the final homes undergoing radon testing and paperwork completion.
Elevate Energy director Amanda Gramigna expressed hope for future initiatives to build on the program’s success, citing a continuing need for accessible home health and energy improvements throughout the region.