What Illinois Data Reveals about Promising College and Career Pathways
For more than a decade, a deceptively simple question has shaped conversations about economic mobility: Is college still worth it? Skepticism about a…
Stories
Spotlights on community issues, the people, and the organizations who contribute to effective philanthropy as well as a stronger Chicago region and world.
Recent Stories
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Building Housing Stability in Chicago: What We’re Learning and Funding
A new report from Housing Action Illinois and the National Low Income Housing Coalition finds our region is short 225,000 affordable rental units…
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Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 25: Transforming College Transfer Pathways in Illinois
In Illinois, nearly 80 percent of community college students say they plan to transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree, yet only about 35…
“Experts & Opinions” Stories
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For the Economy to Recover, the People Must Recover
For two years we worked to combat COVID-19 – masked up, stood six feet apart, got vaccinated, and then carried proof. Today, we continue rising…
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Violence as a Public Health Crisis: Starting Off with the Right Question
“Have you eaten?” Inevitably, this is the first question my parents ask guests who enter their home. My parents are fluent in three languages: Korean,…
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MLK Day Prompts a Look at How the Trust is Living Its Mission
Our national observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday is a time for reflection, but also for action that can lead to long-term change.…
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The Importance of a City Ward Remapping Process that is Transparent, Incorporates Community Voice, and Strengthens Resident Representation
As part of the Trust’s Building Collective Power and Advocating for Policy Change teams, I often reflect on different strategies to actively engage and uplift…
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Make CTC/EITC Improvements Permanent: Sound Economic Policy with Far Reaching Impacts
There’s a political game playing out in Washington, and the stakes could not be higher. Will the debt ceiling be raised? Will major infrastructure legislation…
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Trusted Voices: Organizing for Change
As a part of its 10-year strategy to close the Chicago region’s racial and ethnic wealth gap, the Trust made a deliberate commitment to investing…
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Land is the Truest Asset
A few years ago, I attended a peer city exchange with representatives from Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles. In the spirit of mutual…
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Chicago Residents Transform Our Communities by Strengthening Connections
Social cohesion is defined as bonding, feelings of connectedness and solidarity, or a closeness and affection within groups. These are essential qualities to building trusted…
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Strengthening the Affordable Housing Ordinance to Address Chicago’s Affordable Housing Crisis
On April 21, the Chicago City Council voted to revise the Affordable Requirements Ordinance to encourage the production of more affordable family-sized housing units, expand…
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Covid Revealed Our Flaws. Do We Have the Resolve to Fix Them?
Like an overdue visit to the optometrist, Covid-19 has sharpened our vision and revealed some harsh truths that were long overlooked or hidden. The pandemic…
