Mayor Rahm Emanuel today discussed the next steps Chicago is taking to drive development and create economic opportunities in neighborhoods across the city. The strategy builds on the Chicago Neighborhoods Now program, which was launched in 2013 to bring a comprehensive, creative and coordinated approach to driving transformation in Chicago’s communities on the cusp of change and ensuring every resident can be connected to the opportunities created. 

“We have a concerted, coordinated strategy to invest in the building blocks of strong neighborhoods and ensure every community in Chicago is a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Mayor Emanuel said. “Improving neighborhoods takes vision, commitment, dedication and hard work. It take strong partnerships between government, the private sector, non-profits and volunteers.”

Through Chicago Neighborhoods Now the City has focused on strengthening and supporting neighborhoods by investing in what makes them great: schools, libraries, transportation, small businesses, economic development and public safety. This approach creates jobs, expands economic opportunity, stabilizes blocks, and generates community wealth to strengthen neighborhoods for generations to come. 

Areas that saw positive change from the City’s efforts include: Bronzeville, Chinatown, Near West Side, Englewood, Little Village, Pullman, Rogers Park, Uptown, Washington Park and Woodlawn. The work in the original areas will continue while its scope is expanded to the six new areas: Austin, Belmont Cragin, Brighton Park, Chatham, North Lawndale and South Shore. 

Many of the investments started with the community, from the Ellis Park Arts and Recreation Center, which Chicago Housing Authority residents had advocated for years, to La Villita Park, which for a decade stood as an abandoned brownfield in the shadow of a coal plant. The City brought a creative suite of resources and the coordination of its departments and sister agencies, but the vision began with the residents, their neighborhoods and their partners. 

Since 2011, Chicago has gained more than 145,000 jobs, spread across every part of the City. Through the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund and Retail Thrive Zones Program 141 neighborhood businesses have received $66 million in total investment. The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund leverages downtown growth to make direct investments into neighborhood business across Chicago’s South, West and Southwest Sides. The Retail Thrive Zones initiative supports eight designated neighborhood commercial corridors in Chicago’s neighborhoods by addressing common obstacles facing entrepreneurs, including access to capital and other business support services.

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