City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development

08/20/2021

Help bring infrastructure improvements to public facilities in
Chicago Public Library branches, Chicago Park District parks, Chicago Public Schools, or City-owned vacant lots in your neighborhood as part of the #ChicagoWorksCommunityChallenge! Submit your ideas now through Aug. 30 at Chicago.gov/ChicagoWorksChallenge.

Help bring infrastructure improvements to public facilities in
Chicago Public Library branches, Chicago Park District parks, Chicago Public Schools, or City-owned vacant lots in your neighborhood as part of the #ChicagoWorksCommunityChallenge! Submit your ideas now through Aug. 30 at Chicago.gov/ChicagoWorksChallenge.

08/17/2021

Some Lawndale Residents Have Hoped For Their Own Elevated Trail For Years. Now, They Are Helping Create It

“We’ve seen from The 606, it spawned a lot of real estate speculation...a lot of lessons were learned from that. Spurring development is a good thing, but we want to make sure we’re driving equitable development and that we’re preserving affordability.”

City planners will work with neighbors to brainstorm how to ensure the West Side trail has positive economic outcomes similar to that of The 606's Bloomingdale Trail while preventing displacement.

08/16/2021

The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund is now OPEN for applications! Grants of up to $250,000 are available for small businesses and cultural projects across the West, Southwest and South sides. Learn more and apply by Friday, Sept. 24 at neighborhoodopportunityfund.com/apply.

The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund is now OPEN for applications! Grants of up to $250,000 are available for small businesses and cultural projects across the West, Southwest and South sides. Learn more and apply by Friday, Sept. 24 at neighborhoodopportunityfund.com/apply.

08/15/2021

#AustinChi: the #INVESTSouthWest Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) opens for applications in September in the Austin Commercial TIF district. Apply at chicago.gov/sbif by Sept. 30, and register for an informational webinar at 1 p.m. Sept. 1 bit.ly/sept21sbif

#AustinChi: the #INVESTSouthWest Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) opens for applications in September in the Austin Commercial TIF district. Apply at chicago.gov/sbif by Sept. 30, and register for an informational webinar at 1 p.m. Sept. 1 bit.ly/sept21sbif

08/15/2021

Chicago Works!

Apply now though August 30 at Chicago.gov/ChicagoWorksChallenge!

08/12/2021

Today's Neighborhood Opportunity Fund information session is underway. Learn more about #ChicagoNOF and apply for up to $250,000 in small business grant funding starting Monday, Aug. 16 at chicago.gov/nof. Follow along with the presentation: https://youtu.be/EFqhz1UxXPs

Today's Neighborhood Opportunity Fund information session is underway. Learn more about #ChicagoNOF and apply for up to $250,000 in small business grant funding starting Monday, Aug. 16 at chicago.gov/nof. Follow along with the presentation: https://youtu.be/EFqhz1UxXPs

08/12/2021

City Hall design committee dissects plan for Fulton Market towers, urges changes

"Planning Commissioner Maurice Cox appointed the panel last month. Its 24 unpaid members are serving two-year terms and, on a rotating basis, will review many planned developments, a special zoning category applied to larger, complex proposals. They also will review plans for super-tall high-rises, developments that involve city money such as tax-increment financing or plans that are within or near landmark districts."

Chicago’s review panel urged the developer to consider revising plans for an office building at 315 N. May St. and a 377-unit residential building at 1112 W. Carroll Ave.

08/12/2021

Join staff from #INVESTSouthWest to #ShopRoseland from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28. The event will take place on 114th Street between Michigan and State and include food trucks, live music, children's activities and more.

Join staff from #INVESTSouthWest to #ShopRoseland from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28. The event will take place on 114th Street between Michigan and State and include food trucks, live music, children's activities and more.

08/05/2021

Old Post Office Rehabilitation Project

The Commission on Chicago Landmark today issued its final certification for a Class L property tax incentive for the Old Main Post Office. The $402 million project saved a Chicago icon, and it's fully leased. https://youtu.be/8CHZVE5owsg

Produced by the development team of the Old Chicago Main Post Office and shown at the meeting of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks on Aug. 5, 2021.

08/05/2021

The Commission on Chicago Landmarks voted today to recommend to City Council a landmark designation for the Halsted-Willow Group of buildings located at the intersection of Halsted and Willow in #LincolnPark. Built in the 1880s, the buildings are handsomely designed in the Italianate and Queen Anne styles.

08/05/2021

The Commission on Chicago Landmarks voted today to recommend to City Council a landmark designation for the long-time home of Blues legend Muddy Waters, 4339 S. Lake Park Ave. The basement studio at the modest North Kenwood two-flat hosted many Blues icons, including Otis Spann, Howlin’ Wolf and Chuck Berry.

08/05/2021

Want to help run this account? We're hiring an information coordinator to work on communications, outreach and engagement activities for DPD.

Starting salary is $64,704. Applications are due tomorrow. Learn more and apply at chicago.gov/careers.

Want to help run this account? We're hiring an information coordinator to work on communications, outreach and engagement activities for DPD.

Starting salary is $64,704. Applications are due tomorrow. Learn more and apply at chicago.gov/careers.

08/05/2021

The Commission on Chicago Landmarks voted today to recommend to City Council a landmark designation for the Monastery of the Holy Cross, the Gothic Revival church at 3111 S. Aberdeen St. in #Bridgeport. Designed by Herman J. Gaul and completed in 1909, the church's designation will include the adjoining rectory.

08/05/2021

The inaugural meeting of the Committee on Design will take place virtually at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 11. Two projects will be reviewed ahead of their presentation to Plan Commission. A draft agenda, a meeting registration link, and other details are posted: chicago.gov/cod.

08/02/2021

The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund will reopen for grant applications starting Monday, Aug. 16, with more than $4 million in funding available for small businesses, non-profits and cultural institutions across Chicago’s West, Southwest and South sides. The deadline for applications is Friday, Sept. 24.

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) program supports private rehabilitation and construction projects that add economic vitality to neighborhood commercial corridors and support local needs. Grants of up to $250,000 are available. Learn more and register for an upcoming information session at neighborhoodopportunityfund.com/applicant-support. #ChicagoNOF #INVESTSouthWest

The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund will reopen for grant applications starting Monday, Aug. 16, with more than $4 million in funding available for small businesses, non-profits and cultural institutions across Chicago’s West, Southwest and South sides. The deadline for applications is Friday, Sept. 24.

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) program supports private rehabilitation and construction projects that add economic vitality to neighborhood commercial corridors and support local needs. Grants of up to $250,000 are available. Learn more and register for an upcoming information session at neighborhoodopportunityfund.com/applicant-support. #ChicagoNOF #INVESTSouthWest

07/26/2021

DPD staff joined West Woodlawn neighbors and officials from the Mayor's Office on Sunday to celebrate what would have been Emmett Till's 80th birthday at his boyhood home on South St. Lawrence Avenue. Officials also unveiled the plaque honoring the home as a designated Chicago Landmark.

07/24/2021

Meet the artists of #WeWillChicago, the first citywide plan in 50 years, at local Chicago Public Library branches, July 26 - August 5. Community members are invited to learn about the citywide plan and share thoughts on the plan pillars at these in-person gatherings. Visit WeWillChicago.com/Calendar for a full schedule of events.

All events are free and open to the public. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status.

Meet the artists of #WeWillChicago, the first citywide plan in 50 years, at local Chicago Public Library branches, July 26 - August 5. Community members are invited to learn about the citywide plan and share thoughts on the plan pillars at these in-person gatherings. Visit WeWillChicago.com/Calendar for a full schedule of events.

All events are free and open to the public. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status.

07/23/2021

ChiFresh Kitchen, Co-Op That Hires Formerly Incarcerated People To Cook For Those In Need, Finds A New Home In Greater Grand Crossing

A workers’ co-op that employs formerly incarcerated people to prepare meals for schools and social service centers will soon move into its own South Side facility.

ChiFresh Kitchen is preparing to expand from its roots in a West Side business incubator to a former convenience store at 400 E. 71st St. in Greater Grand Crossing.

The organization is a finalist to receive $250,000 through the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund for the move. #ChicagoNOF

Within two years, co-op members hope to be making 5,000 meals daily at a new facility at 400 E. 71st St.

07/23/2021

DPD is hiring a lead for its West Side planning team, a communications associate, an economic development coordinator in project development, and an economic development coordinator on the #ChicagoNOF team. Apply today at chicago.gov/careers.

DPD is hiring a lead for its West Side planning team, a communications associate, an economic development coordinator in project development, and an economic development coordinator on the #ChicagoNOF team. Apply today at chicago.gov/careers.

07/23/2021

DPD and CDOT are accepting feedback from Southwest Side residents and stakeholders as a part of the Cicero Avenue Corridor Study, which is evaluating street design, land use and private development on Cicero Avenue from the Stevenson to Marquette: https://surveymonkey.com/r/WHBSP7K

DPD and CDOT are accepting feedback from Southwest Side residents and stakeholders as a part of the Cicero Avenue Corridor Study, which is evaluating street design, land use and private development on Cicero Avenue from the Stevenson to Marquette: https://surveymonkey.com/r/WHBSP7K

07/21/2021

The largest development project in the history of the South Side was approved by City Council today for the former Michael Reese Hospital site in #Bronzeville.

Made possible by a $96.9 million City-owned land sale and a $60 million infrastructure agreement, GRIT's $3.8 billion Bronzeville Lakefront project will create more than 7 million square of offices and mixed-income housing, as well as new park spaces and other public amenities.

In addition to creating 20,000 jobs, the multi-phase project will strategically link downtown investment with underserved neighborhoods along the South Side lakefront. The community-driven project was selected through a formal RFP issued by DPD in 2016. #INVESTSouthWest

07/21/2021

Today is the final day to submit your ETOD proposals at chi.gov/etod!

Last call! The deadline to submit your #ETOD proposal is today. Learn more: chi.gov/etod

07/20/2021

TONIGHT: How do you imagine the future of Western Avenue? The City is hosting the first of two meetings for its study on the key North Side corridor, focusing on the northern portion of the study area, from Bryn Mawr to Howard. Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vf-6hrDMuGtwGtDOOec-KM59Nhbw62ZhI

TONIGHT: How do you imagine the future of Western Avenue? The City is hosting the first of two meetings for its study on the key North Side corridor, focusing on the northern portion of the study area, from Bryn Mawr to Howard. Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vf-6hrDMuGtwGtDOOec-KM59Nhbw62ZhI

07/19/2021

Western Avenue Corridor Study

Join DPD and Chicago Department of Transportation July 20 or 22 for an update on the Western Avenue Corridor Study. Learn more and register to attend at: Chicago.gov/Western.

The first meeting, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, will emphasize the northern section of the study area, between Bryn Mawr and Howard. The second meeting, at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 22, will emphasize the southern section of the study area, between Addison and Bryn Mawr.

07/15/2021

DPD is excited to welcome the artist-organizers from Honey Pot Performance (HPP) to the We Will Chicago team! Learn more about the artists and view a schedule of their upcoming public events at WeWillChicago.com/artists.

07/13/2021

Lightfoot awards $10 million in Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grants to 27 entrepreneurs

“We’re here to celebrate your business acumen, your creativity and the knowledge that our 27 determined entrepreneurs can bring to neighborhoods that need them the most." - DPD Commissioner Maurice Cox

The fund was created by the mayor’s predecessor, Rahm Emanuel. Developers are allowed to build bigger and taller projects downtown if they pay into the fund, which focuses on long-neglected South and West side neighborhoods.

07/13/2021

More than $10 million in #ChicagoNOF grant funding was announced by Mayor Lightfoot on Monday, with 27 projects selected as finalists for the South, West and Southwest side small business growth program. See the full list: neighborhoodopportunityfund.com/awardees

07/09/2021

Chicago planning agency gets first design committee

“The Committee on Design is truly an all-star cast that will offer invaluable, implementable, and realistic recommendations involving design excellence and related development concerns that will lead to better projects and improved neighborhoods,” said Commissioner Maurice Cox.

The 24-member panel will review major development projects before they get the city’s OK, bringing Chicago’s process closer to what applies in several other major cities.

07/07/2021

Applications are open through Wednesday, July 21 for the ETODChi Pilot Program! The City of Chicago is seeking housing, commercial, community space, and community art projects that allow every Chicagoan to experience the benefits of dense, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented development near transit hubs. Learn more at chi.gov/etod.

07/01/2021

The Landmarks Commission today approved a Class L property tax incentive for the former Morton Salt building at 1357 N. Elston Ave. The incentive will allow the developer, who is planning to construct an office and event space, to save about $5M in property taxes over 12 years.

06/30/2021

Employment Services

We're hiring! DPD is accepting applications through 7/21 for Coordinating Planner (West Region Lead) & City Planner V (Central & Southeast Regions). Learn more at www.Chicago.gov/CAREERS.
#urbanplanningjobs #cityplanner #chicagojobs

Employment opportunities / job openings at the City of Chicago

06/28/2021

An Rx for downtown: More housing for working folks and an improved Pritzker Park

"What excites us most about this project is that it will put affordable working-class housing right downtown while finding new purpose for the underutilized site... If Chicago’s downtown is to remain vital and fully recover from the crushing economic impact of the pandemic, smart and bold moves are needed."

A new development next door to the Harold Washington Library would put a substantial amount of affordable housing right in the Loop while transforming a small park, not paving it over.