Preckwinkle made history by becoming the first government in the nation to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to cancel medical debt.

Her focus is on creative and innovative solutions to ensure Cook County residents have access to quality and comprehensive medical and mental healthcare.

Toni understands that a healthier community has robust, positive consequences:

• drop in violent and property crimes
• increased housing stability
• financial security and a reduction in overall healthcare costs
• boost in economic activity and job creation (job creation–healthcare professionals, administrators, technology, pharmaceuticals, etc.)
• higher educational attainment for children
• better, more coordinated public health response to emergencies like COVID19

Healthcare is more than treating illness. Healthy people have the freedom to pursue their dreams.

More than half of the Cook County budget is designated to provide healthcare for Cook County residents.

“Cook County’s groundbreaking medical debt relief program didn’t just change lives in Illinois, it sparked a national movement,” said Ohio State Representative Michele Grim. “When I served on Toledo City Council, we looked to Cook County as the model for launching our own initiative. It has since become a blueprint for cities and states across the country. What’s remarkable is how this idea transcends politics. No one wants their neighbors drowning in debt for getting sick or injured. From red counties to blue cities, the political viability of medical debt relief is clear: it’s compassionate, it’s cost-effective, and it works.”