2024
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING CITY CIVICS DAY 2024
What is City Civics Day?
On November 9, 2024, the City of Chicago held the 2nd Annual City Civics Day, a celebration of community connection and engagement that inspired everyday Chicagoans to take part in civic life.
City Civics Day was designed to facilitate conversation and connection among attendees and provide practical tools for engaging in one’s community. Panel discussions showcased the work that people around Chicago are doing to partner with City government to effect change in their communities. Art activations, sound baths, and movement breaks fostered an environment of creativity and self-care.
“I loved the breadth of workshops, the friendly attendees, the screen-printing activity, the healthy food options and the ward map.”
City Civics Day was produced by the Department of Planning and Development and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The event was held at Malcolm X College, an accessible, centralized location on Chicago’s Near West Side.
ChiBlockBuilder: Bringing New Activity to Vacant Land
Local artists and developers shared outside-the-box strategies for transforming vacant City-owned property into vibrant community assets.
Presenters: Tonika Johnson, Artist; Ann Lui, Future Firm; AJ Patton, 548 Enterprises; Lesley Roth, Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Resources
- Visit the ChiBlockBuilder website to find the City's application portal that encourages the purchase and redevelopment of City-owned vacant land.
- Visit the Missing Middle Housing Initiative website to learn more about the City's neighborhood repopulation strategy.
- Expand your understanding of Chicago's history of segregation by downloading the Folded Map Action Kit.
Setting the Table: Improving Access to Healthy Food in Chicago
Learn about food equity, the growth of urban agriculture, and how to advocate for equal access to healthy food in Chicago.
Presenters: Elizabeth Abnau, Forty Acres Fresh Market; Erika Allen, Urban Growers Collective; Mecca Bey, Grow Greater Englewood / Sistas in the Village; Dion Dawson, Dion’s Chicago Dream; Nick Davis, Community Food Navigator; Ruby Ferguson, Greater Chicago Food Depository
RESOURCES
- Learn more about the Chicago Food Policy Action Council.
- Read how Chicago is advancing food equity through the City's Food Equity Agenda, a multi-year effort to remove barriers to healthy and affordable food.
- Visit the Greater Chicago Food Depository website to learn about opportunities to volunteer at a food pantry.
Meet the City Clerk: Livestreams, Agendas and Ordinances, Oh My!
Explore the treasure trove of civic information and programs accessible through the City Clerk’s office.
Presenters: Anna Valencia, Chicago City Clerk; Pat Whalen, podcast host of “Best Evening Ever”
RESOURCES
- Learn about available resources and programs on the Office of the City Clerk's website.
- Access City legislation, Committee and City Council meetings, and City Council Members and Bodies through the City's Electronic Legislative Managment System.
- Get your CityKey, a four-in-one card by serving as a valid, government-issued ID card, a Chicago Public Library card, a Ventra card and a pharmaceutical discount card by visiting the City Clerk's website.
Community Violence Interrupters outline strategies for improving safety across Chicago.
Presenters: Samuel Castro, Institute for Non-Violence Chicago; Elvis Ortega, Community Safety Coordination Center, Chicago Department of Public Health; Jaron Washington, CP4P (Metropolitan Family Services)
RESOURCES
- Download the People’s Plan for Community Safety—a community-led initiative that unites Chicagoans from all walks of life to address historic disinvestment, work toward healing our communities and make all of Chicago safe for everyone.
- Become a Cycle Breaker and discover resources, programs, events, mentorship, and more. Visit the City of Chicago's Cycle Breakers website to learn more.
- The Chicago Department of Public Health funds 18 street outreach organizations in 25 communities most impacted by violence. Visit the Street Outreach webpage to learn more.
Branch managers and community leaders guide attendees through the collaborative processes behind the programming and events offered at local libraries.
Presenters: Mariella Colon, Chicago Public Library; Lindsay Holbrook, Chicago Public Library - Jeffrey Manor Branch; Echelle Mohn, South Deering Manor Community Association; Ilene Uhlman, JCC Chicago
RESOURCES
- Learn more about the many library-hosted events across the City and at your local branch on the CPL events webpage.
- Discover the many resources available to library card users outside of books on the CPL's Resources webpage.
- Get a library card by visiting any CPL location with a current, valid ID with name, photo and Chicago address is required. Find a location near you on the CPL locations webpage.
Hear first-hand testimonies from local entrepreneurs and find out about City resources available to support small businesses.
Presenters: Cecilia Cuff, Bronzeville Winery, Nascent Group; Teresa Ging, Sugar Bliss Cakes; Lotika Pai, Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
RESOURCES
- Visit the City of Chicago's Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) webpage to find programs and resources for small businesses, such as weekly webinars, entreprenuer certificate program, and more.
- The Chicago Business Centers (CBC) Program is a BACP initiative to fill the current gap in local business resources. Find CBC locations on BACP's webpage.
- Learn about opportunities to get your business certified for opportunities to do business with the Office of Contracting Equity website.
Learn about Healing Arts Chicago, an innovative pilot program bringing free arts services to City of Chicago Mental Health Centers.
Presenters: Shannon Harris, Artist; Gerry Holiday, Artist; Stephanie Jones-Horne, M.S., Chicago Department of Public Health; Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, Chicago Department of Public Health; Carrie Shepard, Axios
RESOURCES
- Healing Arts Chicago offers creative classes and workshops supporting mental health and wellness at nine locations throughout the city. Learn more on the Healing Arts Chicago webpage.
- Learn more about mental health symptoms, hear others' stories, and find mental health support in your neighborhood on the Un*Spoken website.
- Stay informed about upcoming partnership opportunities, events, and news for Healing Arts Chicago.
