In addition to uniting the varied organizations and individuals involved in Chicago's rivers, the task force will actively coordinate with other agencies that have important oversight functions, including the Chicago Waterways Committee, the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee, and the Great Rivers Implementation Committee, among others.

An executive order signed in January 2019 directed the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) to create the task force. Since then, the task force has assisted DPD with shaping and updating the Chicago River Design Guidelines and its associated brand standards and guidelines.

Meetings and Materials

The Task Force and its working groups have a set list of upcoming meetings available. In 2025, meetings will be held via Zoom from 3-4:30 pm on the following dates:

March 18 | June 3 | September 16 | December 9

Community organizations and members of the general public interested in attending task force or working group meetings should contact DPD's Luke Mich at Luke.Mich@cityofchicago.org.

The REGTF is structured into two working groups: System Plans Working Group and the Development Review Working Group. The System Plans Working Group focuses on how the River is planned for as a holistic system and how these planning efforts intersect with other large systems (transportation, critical infrastructure, open space and recreation, etc.).

The Development Review Working Group reviews specific planned development proposals and potential site changes for buildings and properties along the river’s edge to ensure that new development is in line with the natural environment, recreation, and connectivity goals of the Chicago River Design Guidelines (2019) and the Property Design - Lake and River Shorelines requirements of the Calumet Design Guidelines (2004). For Development Review Working Group materials, click here.

Below is a table detailing past meetings of the task force and its smaller working groups, and materials provided at each meeting.