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.

Commercial Club and Civic Committee Announce New Leaders

Jennifer Scanlon, UL President and CEO, to Chair Commercial Club

Scott Santi, ITW Chairman and CEO and Chair Commercial Club, to Chair Civic Committee

Long-term Chair Rick Waddell, Retired Northern Trust Chairman and CEO, Transitions

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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

P33

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

President Emeritus, SAIC | Retired Chairman of the Board of Bank of America | Sr. Advisor to President of University of Chicago

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.

Neighborhood Jobs Connection

Connecting employers with Chicago’s untapped neighborhood talent, we’re helping address one of the City’s most critical issues – access to jobs.

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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

142

YEAR HISTORY

389

ACTIVE MEMBERS

1,075

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

Leadership Change at CCA


Rebekah Scheinfeld announced as the CEO of the Civic Consulting Alliance.

Crains, 2/11/2020

Restore Illinois: A Foundation for Growth

Promoting fiscal stability in Illinois and creating an environment for growth

Civic Committee, 2/5/2019

Chicago, a World-Class Tech Hub


P33 Wants to Make Chicago a World-Class Tech Hub. Here’s How.

Built-in Chi, 11/06/2019

K1C Celebrates 15 Years


In the 15 years that Kids First Chicago has been active, the graduation rate has gone from 50% to 80%.

Better.net, 10/23/2019
Critical Issues

State's Pension Issue Still NOT Solved

“Don't pop the cork over that pension win just yet”

Crains, 11/15/2019

O'Hare's Rehab will be on Time


“Aviation commissioner says O’Hare rehab is on schedule and will pose minimum fuss for travelers”

Chicago Tribune, 1/14/2020

More Women in Tech



"Melinda Gates wants more women involved in Chicago's tech industry. And she's putting money where her heart is."

Chicago Tribune, 1/28/2020

CPS Revisits School Funding


"Chicago mulls how to reslice the school budget pie — but what about a bigger pie?"

Chalkbeat, 1/30/2020

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

CIVIC COMMITTEE 
CIVIC CONSULTING ALLIANCE
KIDS FIRST CHICAGO
P33

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