We randomly selected your address from all home addresses in Cook County. That means that when you respond, you represent hundreds of other Cook County residents like you. When all completed surveys are combined, they represent a snapshot of all Cook County households.

The study aims to measure the financial health of people living in Cook County. We will ask you questions about your household finances, including financial stress and support, income and benefits, employment, spending and savings, and experiences with your neighborhood. Responses from residents like you will help guide financial investments and community programs in Chicago and Cook County.

NORC at the University of Chicago is conducting the survey in partnership with researchers at Financial Health Network. NORC is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous science to guide critical business, program, and policy decisions. NORC has been conducting impactful, unbiased research for over 80 years for organizations such as Consumer Reports, the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Associated Press, Harvard University, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and many more.

Financial Health Network is a national not-for-profit organization that serves as a trusted resource for business leaders, policymakers, and innovators united in a mission to improve the financial health of their customers, employees, and communities. Through research, advisory services, measurement tools, and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, they advance awareness, understanding, and proven best practices in support of improved financial health for all.

The survey is funded by The Chicago Community Trust, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of the people in the Chicago region. The Trust believes the diversity of Chicago and Cook County communities is a fundamental strength of the region. The Trust’s vision is a region where equity, opportunity, and prosperity are within reach for everyone.

The survey allows one adult, age 18 years or older, living at your address to complete the survey.

Participation is easy. You can take the survey from a desktop or laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access. Just enter the Access Code printed on the invitation letter to complete the survey.

After you complete the survey, we will give you $10. In addition, this is a chance for your voice to be heard. Your completed survey will be included with about 4,200 other surveys as part of the results compiled by NORC.

We will give you $10 in your choice of an Amazon.com, Target, or Walgreens eGift Card sent to your email address or a $10 physical gift card mailed to your mailing address.

We are required to protect your confidentiality and your opinions:

• Only NORC researchers who are conducting the survey will have access to your personal contact information.
• We protect your privacy by removing all personal information from all study responses and grouping your opinions with those of many other residents in your city.
• NORC will only use your contact information for this study; we do not share your contact information with any other entity except to send you your $10 online reward.