Make No Little Plans

The Commercial Club of Chicago works to shape Chicago’s future to make our region a better place for everyone to live, work, and do business.

Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago

Focus Fuels Progress.

The Civic Committee works with business leaders, public officials, and other civic and community organizations on game-changing initiatives to promote the social and economic well-being of our region.

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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

Our work continues through the efforts of our affiliated organizations – extending our impact on the City, region, and State.

Civic Consulting Alliance

Kids First Chicago

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WHO WE ARE

We are senior leaders spanning the business, education, civic, and cultural sectors — unified by our excitement for the future of Chicago.

MEET THE MEMBERS
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Ms. Michelle Collins

President, Cambium LLC

Member Since 1998

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Mr. Newt Minow

Senior Counsel, Sidley Austin LLP

Member Since 1974

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Mr. Walter Massey

Senior Advisor to the President, The University of Chicago | Retired Chairman of the Board of Bank of America

Member Since 1983

WHERE WE MAKE AN IMPACT

DIVE INTO INITIATIVES TO MOVE THE REGION FORWARD.

EXPLORE INITIATIVES

Veterans Working Group

We’re helping our companies hire, retain, and support returning veterans.

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    Lester Crown

    “For 142 years, the Commercial Club has been the voice and vision of the business and professional communities in Chicago. It has recommended and then collaborated with the political leadership of the City and State to advance those projects that helped make Chicago a great city. Don Perkins advanced this concept when he developed the Civic Committee as an action arm of the Commercial Club in 1983.”


    Lester Crown
    Chairman Emeritus | Henry Crown and Company

    Member Since 1972

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    Barbara Gaines

    “The Commercial Club of Chicago provides a proverbial “big tent” under which the compassionate leaders of our City can gather, share ideas, and dream of bold new ideas that will address the challenges facing our modern American city.”


    Barbara Gaines
    Artistic Director, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Chair | Chicago Shakespeare Theater

    Member Since 2016

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    Austen Goolsbee

    “With such a collection of civic and business leaders and its range of speakers on key issues, I have found the Commercial Club, basically, indispensable.”


    Austan Goolsbee
    Robert P Gwinn Professor of Economics | University of Chicago Booth School of Business

    Member Since 2017

144

YEAR HISTORY

376

ACTIVE MEMBERS

1,085

MEETINGS OF COMMERCIAL CLUB MEMBERS
LEARN ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Commercial Club in the News

U of C putting $20 million behind quantum startups

An accelerator is the school's latest move to become a top player in a hot new technology.

Crains, 04/07/2021

An elected school board is a big risk for Chicago

In the 26 years since Chicago’s mayor gained direct responsibility for the city’s public schools, academic performance and graduation rates have surged.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 04/02/2021

Modernizing Illinois' Transportation Infrastructure

Crain's Transportation Event Series: In-depth discussion with local business leaders on how the state could modernize transportation projects

Crains, 03/11/2021

Can Illinois' political class end the big stall?

The cost of our leaders' refusal to toughen up and do what needs to be done becomes clearer by the day.

Crains , 03/04/2021
Critical Issues

If Chicago wants a school board that works for families, listen to parents

Parents should have the power to weigh in. They have the most at stake. It’s time they were in charge

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 03/27/2021

Labor leaders join push to oust police union chief

Regional leaders want John Catanzara to resign following remarks on the Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Crains, 1/22/2021

Putting out a pension fire with gasoline

The passage of a sweetened pension deal for Chicago firefighters neatly captures our current predicament.

Crains, 01/15/2021

Fair Transit launches to improve service for southern Cook County

A three-year pilot program cuts fares in half on the Metra Electric and Rock Island Lines. It also increases the hours and frequency of Pace’s Halsted 352 route.

Chicago Sun-times, 01/04/2021

CONTACT US | 21 South Clark Street Suite 4301, Chicago, IL 60603 | (312) 853-1200 | Fax (312) 853-1209

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