The Chicago Central Area Committee (CCAC) is a diverse coalition of leading business, institutions, and nonprofit organizations who all share an interest in supporting strategic planning and development activities that strengthen our city’s competitive edge and enhance its urban quality of life. Since 1956, the CCAC has been an influential force in decisions that affect the future of Chicago. We have a nearly six-decade history of influencing strategic planning choices in Chicago and facilitating the discussion on challenging issues that affect the nation’s third-largest city. Since our founding in 1956, CCAC members have worked in partnership with the City of Chicago on every major comprehensive plan that has focused on the development of downtown Chicago, including most recently the 2009 Central Area Action Plan. Since 2013, in an effort to supplement the City of Chicago’s planning capacity, we have been engaged in an ongoing series of major initiatives based upon the chapter-by-chapter recommendations of the Central Area Action Plan aimed at identifying projects of merit and developing consensus to move them forward, including:
The Illinois Medical District Planning Charrette (November 2013): CCAC members held a planning charrette focusing on the Illinois Medical District (IMD) on Chicago’s Near West Side that resulted in recommendations for improvements to the IMD that were subsequently adopted by the Illinois Medical District Commission. Learn more
The Gary/Chicago International Airport Charrette (June 2014): In response to a special invitation from Gary, Indiana, Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, leaders organized by CCAC and the Alliance for Regional Development participated in a special planning charrette focusing on the Gary/Chicago International Airport and undeveloped land in the surrounding area. Learn more
The Central Area Transportation Workshop (July 2014): Our invitation-only Central Area Transportation Workshop was a phenomenal success. Bringing together major transportation agencies, citywide nonprofits, and key developers to discuss ways to improve access to downtown, the workshop led to the launch of a major stakeholder steering committee to examine the potential for a Central Area Connector transit system to link together Navy Pier, the West Loop, and Museum Campus. Learn more
The Cook County Hospital Building Charrette (October 2014): CCAC members were also invited to participate in the Cook County Hospital Building Charrette. We more than adequately responded to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s request for ideas to re-develop the old Cook County Hospital building and adjacent land in the Illinois Medical District with a submission uniquely both infused with blue-sky ambitions and informed by the realities of the marketplace. Learn more
As we continue to broaden our membership base, we recognize that the business, institutions, and organizations that call Chicago home are always changing. Diversity is our strength, and today–as in 1956–we are committed to supporting strategic and wise planning decisions that improve the Central Area for the benefit of all Chicagoans.
Mission: Support strategic planning for downtown Chicago
