The Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance Program received more than 16,000 applications by the close of its five week application period, which included a weeklong extension. As of May 1, Cook County has disbursed just over $8.8 million of the program’s total $73 million. The county is still awarding grants from the program. Applications are being reviewed in a tiered process by Cook County case auditors, according to Cook County Deputy Director of Communication Dunni Cosey Gay. Applicants with household income at or below 50 percent of the area median, who have also experienced 90 or more days of unemployment, are at the top of the list.