About Chicago Matters
Chicago Matters is an annual public information series made possible by The Chicago Community Trust, our region's community foundation, with programming by WTTW 11, Chicago Public Radio, the Chicago Public Library and The Chicago Reporter, a publication of the Community Renewal Society. Now in its 19th year, Chicago Matters is the longest running multimedia public-affairs series in the nation.
Each year's programming is different, but its purpose is the same: to enhance public understanding about issues of broad concern by raising important questions, uncovering new information, engaging community residents in conversation and, where appropriate, presenting innovative solutions for the people of metropolitan Chicago.
Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham
One hundred years ago, the Burnham Plan did much to shape Chicago and the region as we know it today. Where do we go from here? There is no doubt—the Chicago region is already global. It’s a major international financial center. A key hub for international transportation. It is a region historically formed by immigrants and it is a city constantly reshaped by the economic and cultural contributions of new immigrant populations. World–class attractions, including Millennium Park, the Symphony, and a highly-acclaimed theater scene have made Chicago a destination for international tourists and local art enthusiasts alike. Chicago is a vibrant region, thriving when many urban regions are in decline, with a population that is young, educated and diverse.
But the challenges facing Chicago moving forward involve an increasingly complex region. Over the decades, Chicago has grown to be the largest metropolis in the Midwest. Currently 272 municipalities and over 1,000 taxing jurisdictions are part of the six-county metro area. Does the region have a shared vision for the future? What are the financial, infrastructural, environmental and political challenges that stand between us and success as a truly global metropolis? Do our residents have equitable access to all that the region has to offer, from affordable housing to world-class plays? Where are regional municipalities collaborating and where are they competing?
Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham will examine the demands placed on the city and the region by the global economy. We’ll ask whether we possess all the elements to function as a global economic center in the coming decades. We’ll learn about the challenges and opportunities that our diverse residents and communities face when accessing our region’s many resources. We’ll explore the political, social and environmental questions important to our future place in the world. We’ll learn how Chicago exports its culture and sells its image throughout the world. And we’ll report on the top ten innovators driving the Chicago region’s emergence as a truly global metropolis.
About The Chicago Community Trust
For 93 years, The Chicago Community Trust, our region's community foundation, has connected the generosity of donors with community needs by making grants to organizations working to improve metropolitan Chicago. In 2008, the Trust, together with its donors, granted more than $100 million to not-for-profit organizations. From strengthening community schools to assisting local art programs, from building health centers to helping lives affected by violence, the Trust continues to enhance our region. To learn more, visit the Trust online at www.cct.org.
