The Chicago region has some strong traditions. One of these is the tradition of independence frequently defined by our political and geographical boundaries. While independent voices and thinking are needed for a clear and fair perspective on issues, any region should embrace a grander vision that seeks value for many, not just a few. This was the grand plan of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley when he recognized the need several years ago for a new spirit of cooperation among the municipalities and regional municipal associations in the metropolitan Chicago region. Mayor Daley's vision was to unite Mayors from our six-county region. He wanted to push past geographical boundaries and local interests to work on economic challenges and other public policy issues that could impact the lives of millions of people in our 273 municipalities. His vision became reality. On December 2, 1997, Mayor Daley convened a meeting of Mayors representing nine suburban municipal associations. Initially called the Economic Development Forum, the event made history: it was first time that Mayors from all over the Chicago area had ever met together to share concerns and work toward resolution of common challenges.

The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is a coalition of mayors from 273 municipalities in the Chicago region. The Caucus provides a forum through which the chief elected officials of the region cooperatively develop consensus on common public policy issues and multi-jurisdictional challenges. With a foundation of collaboration and consensus-based decision-making, it serves a number of functions for its partner organizations and local governments.

The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus programs are managed through committees and task forces. In 2002, the MMC Housing Task Force crafted the regions first Housing Endorsement Criteria which currently provides general principles regarding the type of housing communities should be working to develop and attract. The Housing Task Force has played an active role in co-publishing a number of municipal resources, such as: Sensible Tools for Healthy Communities, Planning 123, Retail 123 and Housing 123; and a local best practices guide, Homegrown: Local Strategies in Action. Currently, the Caucus housing work includes actively supporting and providing technical assistance to a number of interjurisdictional housing collaboratives in the region. The Caucus Clean Air Counts Committee oversees the implementation of the Clean Air Counts Campaign which reduces ozone causing emissions. Additional Caucus programs include: the CREATE Plan Task Force which interfaces between railroads and communities affected by the regional freight rail plan; Critical Infrastructure Task Force which develops guidelines for municipal officials regarding protection of electric and natural gas infrastructure, oversees electric power purchase issues, telecommunications issues, and energy efficient building codes; Emergency Preparedness Task Force which supports the emergency planning and implementation efforts of the region's public safety, transportation, public health and emergency management agencies; and Water Issues Task Force which develops regional strategies regarding storm water management and water supply issues.