Early Lessons, Lasting Impact: Cook County’s Water Affordability and Lead in Water Initiatives

This Chicago Water Week webinar highlights how Cook County’s leadership is being translated into real‑world impact for households and municipalities and explores how this work can inform, strengthen, and scale future regional and statewide progress. Staff from the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development and the nonprofit Elevate will showcase their innovative programmatic partnerships to address water affordability and lead in drinking water. Speakers will share early, data‑driven lessons from implementing direct household assistance, municipal capacity‑building, and public‑health protections. This event is affiliated with Chicago Water Week, presented by Current.

Webinar goals:

• Highlight Cook County’s role in advancing innovative programs and initiatives
• Share early, data‑driven lessons to underscore the need for—and potential impact of—local capacity‑building
• Promote replicability and adaptation beyond Cook County, and invite partnerships to support scaling and long-term sustainability
• Inform and shape policy discussions among governments, researchers, advocates, practitioners, and funders on water affordability and lead in water