City Club of Chicago

May 19, 2025 Commissioner Lissette Castañeda, Chicago Department of Housing City Club event description: Lissette Castañeda comes to the role of DOH commissioner with two decades of experience in affordable housing development, housing services, and organizational leadership. Castañeda is tasked with streamlining the affordable housing development process as per Mayor Brandon Johnson's recent executive order […]

May 12, 2025 City Club event description: Congresswoman Robin Kelly has dedicated her career to public service as an advocate for Illinois families. Since being elected to serve the 2nd Congressional District in 2013, she has worked to expand economic opportunity, community wellness, and public safety across the state, championing numerous initiatives to generate job […]

May 7, 2025 City Club video

April 23, 2025 City Club event description: Carlos Ramirez-Rosa is the General Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Park District, overseeing the nation's third-largest park system, which includes more than 8,800 acres of green space, over 600 parks, 230 fieldhouses, and 26 miles of lakefront. He will take on the role of park […]

April 22, 2025 City Club event description: Black men in Illinois face a persistent workforce crisis, with Chicago ranking lowest among major U.S. cities in labor force participation. In response, Equity & Transformation (EAT) and Fathers, Families & Healthy Communities (FFHC) conducted in-depth research to understand the barriers Black men and fathers face in securing […]

April 15, 2025 Reducing Gun Violence: How the Community and Police are Working Together – Moderated by: Steve Perkins, MPI Director of Field Instruction – Panelists: Jalon Arthur, Director of Strategic Initiatives, CRED; Glen Brooks, Jr., Director of Community Policing, Chicago Police Department; Elvis Ortega, Lead Liaison for Street Outreach at the City of Chicago […]

April 9, 2025 Strategies to Alleviate Poverty in Cook County and Beyond – The University Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice City Club event description: The City Club of Chicago and the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice are partnering on an ongoing event series that […]

April 1, 2025 City Club event description: SpeakerIllinois Attorney General Kwame RaoulIllinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, born in Chicago to Haitian immigrants, brings a lifetime of legal experience and advocacy to the office. Attorney General Raoul launched his legal career as a Cook County prosecutor. Thereafter, he successively opened a general law practice, served as […]

March 25, 2025 City Club event description: Join us for a discussion with City of Chicago Clerk Anna M. Valencia, who has led one of the city's largest offices since 2017, serving over 1.2 million residents and generating $130 million annually. Valencia has focused on making government more accessible through innovative initiatives like the $3.5 […]

March 5, 2025 City Club event description: For more than a decade, the Cook County Land Bank has transformed vacant properties into vibrant community assets. By clearing red tape and tapping into the talents and local knowledge of small developers, the Land Bank has rehabbed over 2,000 properties and generated $1.8 billion in economic impact […]

February 19, 2025 City Club event description: Rugby is gaining momentum nationwide, and Chicago has been at the forefront of that growth, hosting some of the most pivotal and influential events in North American rugby history. In 2014, the All Blacks faced off against the USA Eagles in a sold-out match at Soldier Field, setting […]

February 12, 2025 City Club event description: Join us for a panel discussion that will explore the impact of President Trump’s executive orders on key areas including LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and environmental issues. Experts will analyze how these actions are affecting local residents, communities, and businesses, offering insights into the evolving legal, economic, and social […]

January 30, 2025 Timothy Killeen – President of the University of Illinois System City Club event description: Join University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen as he shares the University’s 2025 priorities, laying the groundwork for its role as host of the global Sustainable Research Innovation (SRI) Congress in June. President Killeen will discuss key initiatives […]

January 15, 2025 Kirk Dillard – Chairman – Regional Transportation Authority City Club event description: Join Kirk Dillard, Chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), as he shares the agency's vision for a fully funded, seamless, and accountable transit system that serves all riders with more frequent and reliable service. As the Illinois General Assembly […]

January 14, 2025 City Club event description: Join the members of “Team Culture,” a group of civic, business, and community leaders, as they present a plan to reimagine Chicago by harnessing the power of arts and culture. This plan envisions and redefines the urban landscape to create a downtown that is vibrant, dynamic, and inclusive […]

December 11, 2024 Panelists: Senyo Ador (Eco Solutions Enterprise), Dr. Anne Evens (Elevate), Michelle Carr (Evergreen Climate Innovations) and Brenda Palms (North Lawndale Employment Network). Moderated by Andrew (Andy) Beideman (Pritzker Traubert Foundation) City Club event description: Join us for an insightful panel discussion on advancing the green economy. The long-term work to advance the […]

December 3, 2024 Mayor Brandon Johnson – City of Chicago City Club event description: Mayor Brandon JohnsonBrandon Johnson was sworn in as the 57th Mayor of the City of Chicago on May 15, 2023. Mayor Johnson began his career as a public school teacher, first at Jenner Academy in Cabrini-Green and then at Westinghouse College […]

November 18, 2024 Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton – State of Illinois City Club event description: Lieutenant Governor Juliana StrattonLieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton proudly represents all 13 million Illinois residents with compassion and empathy. She actively brings people together and takes a community-centered approach to solving problems. She firmly believes that the solutions to Illinois' most […]

November 7, 2024 Election ’24 Results: The Known and Unknown – Dive into the preliminary election outcomes and what they mean for Chicago and the region – Featuring: Anne Caprara, Greg Hart, Christian Perry, and Paris Schutz City Club event description: Featuring Anne Caprara, Chief of Staff to Governor J.B. Pritzker, Greg Hart, Former DuPage […]

October 29, 2024 Collaborating for Economic Opportunity: Chicago Prize, Community, and Civic Leaders – Moderated by Kareeshma Ali (Pritzker Traubert Foundation) – Panelists: Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt (City of Chicago), Cindy Moelis (Pritzker Traubert Foundation), Carlos Nelson (Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation), Marshall Hatch Jr (MAAFA Redemption Project) City Club event description: Building new assets […]

October 24, 2024 Promoting Equitable Cancer Care and Research in Chicago’s Communities of Color in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Proceeds from this event will directly support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's vital work funding lifesaving blood cancer research to find a cure and improve the quality of life of patients and […]

October 8, 2024 Teens, Social Media, and Reducing Gun Violence: A Roadmap – Moderated by WTTW’s Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices Host Joanna Hernandez – Nina Vinik (Project Unloaded), Jadine Chou (CPS), Dr. Selwyn Rogers (UChicago Medicine), Olivia Brown (Project Unloaded), Laia McClain (Whitney Young High School) City Club event description: The Joyce Foundation is hosting […]

September 30, 2024 Investing in Illinois Innovation – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and RockCreek Founder & CEO Afsaneh Mashayekhi Beschloss City Club event description: Join Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and RockCreek Founder & CEO Afsaneh Mashayekhi Beschloss for a conversation about the FIRST Fund, the Illinois Growth and Opportunity Fund (ILGIF), and the […]

September 26, 2024 Rachel Arfa – Commissioner – Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities City Club event description: Commissioner Rachel Arfa Rachel Arfa serves as the Commissioner of the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). Commissioner Arfa is a visionary and transformative leader, and was the first deaf person to serve […]

September 19, 2024 Dorval R. Carter, Jr. – President – Chicago Transit Authority City Club event description: Dorval R. Carter, Jr.As President of the CTA, Dorval R. Carter, Jr. oversees more than 10,000 employees and helps ensure that everyone works together in adhering to the agency’s mission of delivering quality, affordable transit services that link […]

September 17, 2024 Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch – Illinois House of Representatives City Club event description: Speaker Emanuel “Chris” WelchEmanuel “Chris” Welch was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2013.  In January 2021, He became the first Black lawmaker to be elected House Speaker. Since joining the House, he has focused on […]

September 16, 2024 Rosa Escareño – General Superintendent and CEO – Chicago Park District City Club event description: Rosa EscareñoAs the General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District, Rosa Escareño manages one of the largest park systems in the country. The $475M system has nearly 9,000 acres of parkland, more than 600 parks, […]

September 12, 2024 Kari K. Steele – President – Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago City Club event description: Kari K. SteeleKari K. Steele was elected November 6, 2012, to her first term as a Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) and re-elected in 2018 for a second term. […]

September 11, 2024 Crime, Guns & Solutions: What Are We Doing to Stop the Flow of Illegal Guns in Illinois?Moderated by WTTW’s Chicago Tonight Host Brandis FriedmanChristopher Amon – Special Agent in Charge, ATF Chicago Field Division, Brendan Kelly – Director, Illinois State Police, Kim Smith – Director of Programs UChicago Crime Lab and Education […]

September 10, 2024 Dr. Mark C. Reed, President, Loyola University Chicago in conversation with Omar Brown, Senior Vice President, Community and Impact, The Big Ten Conference City Club event description: Dr. Mark ReedMark C. Reed is the 25th president of Loyola University Chicago. One of the world's leading Jesuit research universities, Loyola is also among […]

September 4, 2024 Tackling the Chicago Reassessment – Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi and Northern Trust Executive Vice President and CFO Jason Tyler City Club event description: In 2024, the Cook County Assessor’s Office is conducting its triennial reassessment of property values in the City of Chicago. These valuations determine how the tax burden gets […]

August 12, 2024 Superintendent Larry B. Snelling – Chicago Police Department City Club event description: Superintendent Larry B. SnellingLarry B. Snelling is Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Superintendent Snelling joined CPD in 1992 as a patrol officer in his home community of Englewood. This type of community-based policing experience remained core to his values […]

July 25, 2024 Moderated by WTTW’s Chicago Tonight Host, Brandis Friedman – Panelists: Pamela Montgomery-Bosley (Purpose Over Pain of St. Sabina), Tim Daly (The Joyce Foundation), Dr. Rebecca Neusteter (UChicago Health Lab), Lorne Runnels (BlackRoots Alliance) and Eric Smith (BMO Bank / Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago) City Club event description: The […]

July 18, 2024 From Legislation to Action: The Impact of Gun Safety Laws in Illinois – Moderated by G-PAC’s President & CEO Kathleen Sances – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Senate President Don Harmon, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly City Club event description: Since 2017, Illinois has ushered in five significant gun safety laws, thanks […]

July 11, 2024 Countdown to the DNC – Christy George (Executive Director, DNC Host Committee), Alex Hornbrook (Executive Director, DNC Committee) and John Roberson (City of Chicago, Chief Operating Officer) City Club event description: Join leaders Christy George, Executive Director of the DNC Host Committee, Alex Hornbrook, Executive Director of the Democratic National Convention Committee, […]

June 25, 2024 Patrick J. Kennedy: Profiles in Mental Health Courage – Join us for a compelling conversation about the bravery and resilience of those living with mental illnesses and addictions. City Club event description: Patrick J. KennedyDuring his 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Rhode Island's First Congressional District, Patrick J. […]

June 20, 2024 Illinois' Abortion Reality: Serving as a National Access Point and Model for Patient-Centered Care – moderated by State Senator Lakesia Collins – Panelists: Sarah Garza Resnick (Personal PAC), Megan Jeyifo (Chicago Abortion Fund), Chelsea Souder (Hope Clinic), Dr. Jonah Fleisher (UIHealth) City Club event description: Ahead of the second anniversary of Dobbs […]

June 18, 2024 Ellen Alberding – President & CEO, The Joyce Foundation – In conversation with Laura Washington City Club event description: Ellen AlberdingAs president & CEO and board member of the Joyce Foundation, Ellen oversees the charitable distribution of $65 million annually from assets of $1.3 billion. Under her leadership, Joyce has gained national […]

June 10, 2024 Featuring remarks from The Chicago Community Trust President and CEO Andrea Sáenz and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey – Panelists: Sarah Conway (City Bureau), Jacqueline Serrato (South Side Weekly), Trina Reynolds-Tyler (Invisible Institute) & Mackenzie Warren (Medill Local News Accelerator). Moderated by Olivia Obineme (Public Narrative) City […]

June 5, 2024 Chicago on a Global Stage: How NASCAR Chicago Drives Tourism – Moderated by NBC Chicago 5’s Leila Rahimi – Julie Giese (Chicago Street Race), Jeff Behnke (Motorsports, NBC Sports Group), Marty Snider (Pit Reporter, NBC Sports) and Kara Bachman (Chicago Sports Commission) City Club event description: Speakers Kara BachmanKara Bachman is the […]

May 21, 2024 Water Innovation: Turning Waste into Health and Wealth – moderated by Michael Hawthorne of the Chicago Tribune – Alaina Harkness (Executive Director of Current and CEO and principal investigator (PI) of Great Lakes ReNEW) and Junhong Chen (Crown Family Professor of Molecular Engineering in the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and […]

May 17, 2024 Elevation of the Conversation with Governor J.B. Pritzker – This event promises to be an evening of inspiration and insight as we delve into the Governor’s “why” and explore ways to elevate the conversation in our civic community, all while enjoying drinks, hors d’oeuvres and amazing views from Chicago Cut's brand-new Private […]