Our region’s communities have great strengths, but today face extraordinary challenges. Recovering from the pandemic will require an unprecedented effort. And racism and other barriers limit economic opportunities for too many people, even in good times. Project Hometown is the Chicago Fed’s commitment to engaging all of our communities as they confront these challenges. Project Hometown will bring together civic leaders, expert researchers, Chicago Fed staff, and concerned residents. Through these diverse perspectives, Project Hometown will examine how our hometowns can recover from the pandemic, overcome longstanding inequities, grow stronger, and provide all people with the opportunity to thrive.
A Message From President Evans
There are many elements of this crisis that we need to use as a catalyst to really think about the future of Chicago...
Jennifer Scanlon
Chair, Commercial Club of Chicago
CEO, UL Corp.
Event Recap
Sign up for Project Hometown Notifications
Thanks! You are now subscribed.
There are no upcoming events in Chicago at this time.
Detroit Community Forum: Building a Strong and More Equitable FutureNovember 12
This virtual event will bring together government, community, health, and business leaders to discuss visions for how Detroit recovers from the Covid-19 crisis. Charles Evans, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, will moderate a discussion exploring how Detroit can meet the public health challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic, rebuild the economy, and ensure all residents share in a strong future for the city.
Can Wisconsin Rapids Reinvent Itself Once Again? November 18
The pandemic precipitated a sudden and dramatic decline in the demand for paper produced at the Wisconsin Rapids paper mill, accelerating long term global trends and ushering in transformational change. On July 31, 2020, the paper mill was indefinitely shut down, laying off over 900 workers. Paper had been continuously produced at the mill since 1904 and the shutdown has created an economic, social and cultural tsunami. This event will explore the lessons from the past on what made Wisconsin Rapids thrive and opportunities for central Wisconsin to reinvent itself for the future.
Rebuilding Milwaukee’s Economy: A Community Forum December 1
Government, community, economic development, and business leaders will come together to discuss their visions for Milwaukee’s future. A panel discussion will explore how Milwaukee can recover from the challenges posed by a pandemic, record unemployment, and social unrest. The discussion will also focus on opportunities to rebuild Milwaukee’s economy so that all residents can benefit from a strong future for the city.
Indianapolis after the Covid-19 Pandemic December 18
This virtual event will explore the efforts under way as Indianapolis reopens its economy and strives to become more resilient for the future. A discussion among government, business, healthcare, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders will feature insights into how Indianapolis can rebuild and grow a resilient economy for all its residents.
The Future of Innovation in an Inclusive Chicago October 19
Chicago is a global hub for innovation in finance, technology, and other sectors. Yet continued innovation is not a given, and the makeup of the city’s population has not been reflected in its most innovative industries. How can Chicago’s history of innovation continue, and how can it include all residents of the city?
Health Care and Jobs during the Pandemic:
A Closer Look at Chicago’s NeighborhoodsSeptember 25
A Closer Look at Chicago’s NeighborhoodsSeptember 25
In Chicago, as in all major cities, the health impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been felt disproportionally by some groups and neighborhoods. Similarly, the decline in economic activity necessary to reduce the spread of the virus has had a disparate impact on employment around the city. Our goal for this forum was to bring together diverse perspectives on how neighborhoods can recover from the pandemic, overcome long-standing inequities, and rebuild for resilience.
Rebuilding for Resilience: How Will Iowa Thrive After the Pandemic? August 18
What will the recovery from the pandemic look like for Iowa, and what role will different sectors play? The state faces many challenges, especially given its urban and rural economies and the importance of its farms and businesses to the nation’s supply chain. Government, industrial, and nonprofit leaders will consider the challenges Iowa has faced during the pandemic, as well as the roles that government, philanthropy, education, and the business sector can play to ensure a recovery in which all Iowans can thrive.
The Role of Urban Planning, Architecture,
and Transportation in Chicago’s Future August 17
and Transportation in Chicago’s Future August 17
Chicago, like most major cities, has seen uneven economic development over the last two decades. Growth in and near downtown has been pronounced, while neighborhoods on the South Side and West Side have seen disinvestment and population loss. Experts will examine the roles of urban planning, architecture, and transportation in Chicago’s growth, how the physical features of the city may adapt to the pandemic, and how the city’s infrastructure and built environment can support inclusive economic growth.
Workforce Challenges During Chicago’s Recovery August 10
How can government, philanthropy, education, and the private sector work together to make workplaces safe under pandemic conditions and get displaced workers back to work? What strategies can be built into such efforts to improve the long-run job prospects for racially diverse and economically disadvantaged workers? Chicago leaders from business, labor, education, and workforce development organizations will discuss these questions.
Public Education in Chicago During the Pandemic –
Challenges for Fall 2020 August 3
Challenges for Fall 2020 August 3
The pandemic forced a sudden transition to remote learning. Although students, parents and educators are striving to adapt, the risk of massive and inequitable losses of learning still remains. And even before the pandemic, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), like many other school districts, was confronting challenges in educating all its students. Education leaders and stakeholders will discuss the challenges and opportunities confronting CPS and its students, and how we might address them.
Minority Middle Neighborhoods in a Time of Crisis July 29
Chicago has a rich history of minority "middle" neighborhoods. These are neighborhoods that for decades had a large base of middle- and working-class residents, high rates of homeownership, and active commercial corridors. But as places in the city have become more unequal, these predominantly minority neighborhoods have become increasingly vulnerable to economic shocks. Covid-19, the economic slowdown, and civil unrest have magnified the challenges.
Visions for Chicago's Future: A Community Forum July 1
The virtual event brought together government, community, health, and business leaders to discuss visions for how Chicago recovers from the Covid-19 crisis.
Featured Publications
Making Innovation Inclusive: Engaging the Public and Private Sectors to Create Growth and Opportunity for All
By Lisa Camner McKay
Innovation has been an essential driver of economic growth in Chicago. However, the benefits of that innovation have not been experienced equally across the city’s diverse population. The sustained health and economic crises caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have served as a poignant illustration of these disparities. On October 19, Project Hometown convened thought leaders from the private and public sectors to discuss how Chicago could secure its role as a global hub for innovation in a way that will offer opportunity for all of the city’s residents.
From Crisis to Good Trouble: How Chicago’s Neighborhoods are Navigating the Covid Pandemic
By Lisa Camner McKay
Experts from five Chicago nonprofit organizations and research institutions convened for a Project Hometown event on September 25 to discuss the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the health and economy of Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. While the pandemic has affected everyone, it hasn’t affected everyone equally. Both health and economic outcomes have been more severe for Chicago’s communities of color, panelists described.
Contact Us
Required fields are marked by an asterisk *
