OVERVIEW 2022

2022 marked a year of significant change for Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC). Turning a page on MPC’s history, the year began with a change in leadership. Darlene O. Hightower was appointed as the new President & CEO of MPC.

New leadership has guided a new direction for MPC. A series of interviews and meetings with key MPC stakeholders was conducted as part of a thorough strategic planning process. Throughout the year, MPC developed a new strategic plan with a bold vision for the future. This new strategy builds on the good work of the past while laying the foundation for regional planning that will strengthen our impact toward a more racially equitable and economically just Chicago region.

MPC is forging a new vision for the future. We continue to be a catalyst for change as we advance policies and practices that make us stronger and more equitable. We bring communities, businesses, and government together across the Chicago region to find answers that work — for everyone.

With MPC’s bold new vision for the future, we are committed to shaping a Chicago region where every community is valued, every person has a voice, and every neighborhood thrives.

“In 2022, it was our good fortune to welcome Darlene Hightower as MPC’s new President and CEO. Darlene is a strategic, data-driven leader of high integrity, and possesses the visionary leadership to achieve a new level of impact for MPC. Throughout her first year, Darlene embarked on an innovative strategic planning process to reimagine a new vision for MPC.”

– Melissa Washington, MPC Chair, Board of Governors (2021-2022)

Listening


MPC IS COMMITTED TO A CHICAGO REGION IN WHICH ALL COMMUNITIES HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO THRIVE.

For nearly 90 years, MPC has been at the forefront of positive change — addressing some of the most significant challenges that have confronted our city, counties, and state. In 2022, MPC launched a new strategic plan that not only leverages our strengths but establishes a strong vision for the future. We’ve chartered a new path that will bring communities, businesses, and government together to advance policy and drive systemic change toward a more racially equitable and economically just Chicago region.

Three Pillars
MPC’s new vision is grounded in three overarching pillars: Thriving Communities, Equitable Infrastructure and Just Public Systems. These pillars are centered on equity and justice and are designed to strengthen our impact across the Chicago region.

A Model for Planning
MPC remains committed to equitable engagement and outcomes in our region’s planning. Our long history of success at tackling some of the toughest regional planning and development challenges has been driven by collaborations and coalitions with communities, businesses, civic, and government to get at the heart of difficult issues. MPC’s impact in the region is achieved through a strong model that utilizes research, policy, advocacy, and technical assistance.

Research
Identify the problem, find, and synthesize information to raise awareness.

Policy
Develop policy, define solutions, and pathways for policy change.

Advocacy
Communicate and activate support and political will, develop strategies for legislative, administrative outcomes.

Technical Assistance
Capacity building, education, and training.

 

“Throughout my first year as CEO, I have been inspired by the extraordinary work this organization has accomplished and I have become increasingly encouraged by the possibilities of the future. In 2022, we created a new strategic plan that leverages our strengths, while looking boldly toward our future. As a part of this planning and new vision, I see a Chicago region with thriving communities where people are affordably housed, have quality jobs, and live in safe neighborhoods. I see a Chicago region with equitable infrastructure where people can get around on safe and efficient transit. And I see just public systems that center racial and economic equity — where every community has a voice, is valued and thrives.”

– Darlene O. Hightower, President & CEO, Metropolitan Planning Council

MPC unveiled its new strategic vision at the 2022 Annual Event, highlighted below.


Annual Event

MPC’s in-person events were on hold for three years during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, we returned to in-person for our Annual Event and offered a virtual option, too. During the planning process, we reimagined the format and transformed the Annual Event from a typical luncheon to an evening event with a shorter program and added more time for attendees to network. During the 2022 Annual Event, MPC honored Dr. Helene Gayle and the Chicago Community Trust with the MPC Champion Fighter Award. Through Dr. Gayle’s leadership, the Trust has committed to closing the racial wealth gap in Chicago. Like the Trust, MPC believes addressing this racial and ethnic wealth division also addresses other issues that plague our city like violence, homelessness, food insecurity, the education gap, and other societal challenges. Both MPC and the Trust are committed to breaking these barriers and bringing this work to the forefront.

“We are working together to create a stronger future with, and for, all residents of Chicago, centering their voices and equity in all that we do.”

– Dr. Helene Gayle, MPC 2022 Champion Fighter Award honoree

 
 
Listening


WE BELIEVE ALL COMMUNITIES DESERVE TO THRIVE.

Bringing plans to action and residents to the table

From changing temperatures to changing lake levels, the Chicago region already experiences the effects of a changing climate. But how can our region stop contributing to climate change, while also mitigating its effects? The answer is by planning and by taking action. This year, MPC partnered with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (author of the 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region) and Active Transportation Alliance to host a five-part event series about implementation of the plan. With the transportation sector as one of the largest contributors to climate change in our region, the event series highlighted non-car modes of transportation, like biking, walking, and transit, as a vital part of the solution to the climate change puzzle. Learn more about the series here.

Connecting stakeholders on stormwater management

No community should fear the rainy season. But with seemingly boundless stormwater run-off and flooding after rainfall, some residents are left fearing for their homes, their belongings, and their health. Stormwater management and flooding require concerted action across borders, boundaries, and jurisdictions. With many leaders, workers, and actors in the field, extensive coordination and communication are critical. In 2022 MPC continued its role as facilitator of the Calumet Stormwater Collaborative (CSC) to do just that. Each month, the CSC met to learn from invited experts, build cross-sector partnerships, and share resources related to stormwater and flooding challenges. This year, we returned to in-person gatherings, including a site-visit to a former industrial site and current Chicago Park District park: Big Marsh Park in South Deering of Chicago. Learn more about Calumet Stormwater Collaborative here.

Walking the walk with community partners

Every community has value and every neighborhood deserves the opportunity to highlight its assets. Last summer, MPC and transportation ally Equiticity partnered with local community organizations to co-create three walking tours in Little Village, North Lawndale, and Bronzeville/Washington Park. Each tour featured 5-7 destinations that highlighted key neighborhood catalysts and assets in order to share positive narratives about the communities, in contrast to those that are often shared in the media. Following the Equiticity model of community mobility rituals, these tours provided the opportunity for intimate gatherings for community members and visitors to connect. Read more about the series and watch the virtual event recording here.

Shedding light on Latino workforce challenges and illuminating solutions

While no one escaped the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Latino workers were among the groups hardest hit. Today, Latinos continue to fill essential positions, often with low-wages, no benefits, and few protections. How can we ensure that this vital part of our workforce is set up for success, in and out of the workplace? Building on MPC’s work with the State of Illinois’ Future of Work Taskforce, MPC and the Latino Policy Forum collaborated to release a policy brief with recommendations for how the State of Illinois can ensure a bright future for Latino workers. Among these recommendations are addressing the homeownership gap, enhancing wages and benefits, like paid time off and access to affordable childcare, and making significant contributions to immigration reform to make pathways to citizenship easier. Read the full report here.

“Many of the trends that make headlines, and drive policy, leave out the experiences of historically marginalized groups. This report brings to the forefront the often-invisible experience of Latinos in the workplace and lays out a policy roadmap to better protections for Latino workers and a stronger Illinois economy.

– Dan Cooper, Senior Director, Metropolitan Planning Council

 
 
Listening


WE BELIEVE INFRASTRUCTURE AND
INVESTMENT MUST BE DISTRIBUTED
EQUITABLY.

Taking Equitable Transit Oriented Development (ETOD) from an idea to reality

Affordable housing. Accessible transit. Walkable communities. These are vital components of the safe and equitable built environment that all Chicago residents deserve regardless of zip code. Unfortunately, these amenities are not equitably distributed in our region. In 2022, MPC played an important role in the development and advancement of an historic new ordinance, providing analysis and convening key stakeholders. The Connected Communities Ordinance expands where transit-oriented development can happen and builds more affordability into the equation, putting transit-oriented development within reach of more Chicagoans. In addition to the legislative success of the Ordinance, MPC also partnered with Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) to combine preexisting Equitable Transit Oriented Development analysis tools into a new interactive tool that residents, community groups, and developers can use going forward to analyze the impact of such development in their neighborhoods. To learn more, explore the ETOD calculator and read MPC’s testimony in support of the Connected Communities ordinance.

Advocating for equitable funding to improve drinking water

MPC believes everyone deserves access to clean drinking water in their homes. 2021 was a historic year for clean drinking water funding. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which dedicates lead service line replacement funds, and the State of Illinois adoption of legislation to require the replacement of all lead service lines, put the issue and a partial solution at the forefront of the conversation. But how would funds be spent and which communities would be targeted by this unprecedented investment? In 2022, MPC underscored the equity imperative of lead service line replacement funding. At the invitation of Sen. Tammy Duckworth, MPC testified at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in order to highlight the need for sufficient, equitably distributed funding, along with assistance to help communities access federal funding. Read the full MPC testimony here.

“Success in this matter is a racial equity imperative: in Illinois, Black and Latinx residents are twice as likely as white Illinoisans to live in the communities that contain nearly all of this toxic infrastructure. As a matter of environmental justice, Illinois’ communities simply must complete (lead service line replacement) as quickly as possible.”

– Justin Williams, Manager, Metropolitan Planning Council

Streamlining stormwater credit trading to improve the region’s climate resilience

As of 2022, stormwater credit trading in Chicago has never been easier. MPC and
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) launched the new and improved StormStore website to make stormwater management easier, greener, and more cost-effective. MPC and TNC convened stakeholders who piloted the site to improve the content, design, and user experience. Stormstore.org now includes updated resources, a new credit registry, and an area devoted to featured projects. These enhancements to Stormstore.org support developers, engineers, and landowners in trading required stormwater credits. Check out the new website here.

Convening stakeholders to catalyze economic development on the South and West Sides

In 2022, MPC supported We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery, a funders collaborative hosted by the Chicago Community Trust since 2020. The initiative works with community members to respond to the urgent economic needs of Black and Latinx communities. As part of our inclusive development work, MPC supported the initiative in 2022 by facilitating three community-based working groups comprised of community and corporate leaders. Our goals: to support primarily BIPOC social entrepreneurs who are using We Rise Together funds to expand their operations into better spaces, and to help catalyze economic development on the South and West Sides of Chicago. Learn more about We Rise Together here.

Highlighting financial challenges and pathways to development

Equity should be at the center of how development is supported across Chicago. Yet research shows that over the last 10 years, financial incentives (monetary benefits typically used to fund development that otherwise would not occur) have not been equitably distributed. The result: not all neighborhoods have equitable opportunity to thrive. To shed light on this data and outline where additional support should go, MPC partnered with The Chicago Community Trust to produce equitableincentives.org, an interactive web tool that allows visitors to explore where funding has historically gone, where support should go, and recommendations for action. Visit the website here.

 
 
Listening


WE BELIEVE THE PUBLIC SECTOR CAN
TRANSFORM INEQUITABLE SYSTEMS AND
MAKE GOVERNMENT MORE TRANSPARENT
AND FAIRER FOR ALL.

Facilitating systems change through conversation

Local government and advocates have made significant and laudable progress in advancing equitable policies in cities, and yet, once legislation is passed, too often the follow-through needed to truly enact change is lacking. To shift longstanding structural inequities in institutions, coordinated effort between policy, process, and culture change is necessary. MPC’s Change Teams program provides partners with the learning, collaboration and experimentation capabilities needed to catalyze positive change and institutionalize the equity we seek. In 2022, MPC worked closely with the Department of Housing and staff from two of their two bureaus to develop projects that address structural inequities in government departments. Leading thoughtfully designed workshops over the course of nine months, MPC gave participants the training they need to implement actionable solutions and create lasting equitable policy and culture change. This work will continue in 2023.

Supporting the transformation of Chicago’s river system

Since the 2016 release of Our Great Rivers, MPC’s vision for an inviting, productive and living river system, we have been working with stakeholders to make that vision a reality. We’ve tracked and celebrated Our Great Rivers achievements and progress; we’ve supported an annual cohort of community focused projects funded by the Chicago Community Trust: and we’ve co-managed the River Ecology and Governance Task Force (Task Force) with Friends of the Chicago River and the Department of Planning and Development. In 2022, MPC assisted with multiple local projects. Cohort projects spanned all of Chicago’s rivers, including partners from Alliance for the Great Lakes, Calumet Connect, Current, Friends of the Parks, UIC Great Cities Institute, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, North River Commission, and OAI, inc. As part of its work on the Task Force, MPC hosted quarterly meetings and convened two working groups. The Development Review Working Group reviewed five projects, providing input to developers on river-specific improvements. The System Plans Working Group hosted two community open houses along the Chicago River’s South Branch, asking for community ideas and visions for vacant riverfront sites. These recommendations were provided to the City to help inform future development. The Task Force also made recommendations on updates to the City of Chicago’s Sustainable Development Policy. Based on the group’s engagement, anticipated changes to the policy include strategies that are specific to river edge projects.

Expanding voices and embedding values in citywide planning

For far too long, Chicago has lacked a unifying vision for how the city, its communities, and its residents can thrive in an equitable, healthy and safe environment. In 2020, MPC helped launch the City of Chicago’s first citywide planning process in more than 50 years. MPC was instrumental in making it the strongest, most informed, and most value-driven process possible. Since then, MPC has supported the We Will Chicago citywide planning process as a partner, advisor, and participant on various aspects of the framework plan. In 2022, MPC convened a historical reckoning working group, created and piloted a meeting-in-a-box toolkit to strengthen public engagement, provided research support on ways to implement We Will Chicago, and worked with partners on a process to apply a health and racial equity lens to the framework’s policy ideas. To expand We Will Chicago’s reach, collect feedback from more residents, and put Chicago leaders in conversation with global leaders in the relevant thematic pillars, MPC co-hosted a seven-part Global Voices, Local Action event series with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Learn more about We Will Chicago here.

“We Will Chicago focuses on improving conditions and opportunities in 8 pillars. Goals set for each Pillar will enable the City to continue to improve how Chicagoans work, play and live.”

– We Will Chicago Framework Plan

Engaging communities to address historic harms caused by transportation infrastructure

In the 1960s and 1970s the creation of the highway system, and the placement of these corridors through communities they were never designed to serve, did enormous damage to Chicago and its neighborhoods. In 2022, MPC performed research to frame the historic harms of such transportation infrastructure through a human lens in our Reconnecting Communities Report: thousands of homes bulldozed, thousands of residents displaced, and higher levels of auto-related pollution and noise with the attendant poor health outcomes that persist to this day. The MPC Reconnecting Communities effort engaged the public in defining solutions based on residents’ lived experience through an interactive portal and by working with community-based organizations on the ground. MPC then assessed project proposals that could make good candidates for federal funding, including complete streets to create walkable and bikeable options for local residents, new stations to make transit more accessible and convenient, even highway caps to restore public space and bring communities together. The results informed the City of Chicago’s federal Reconnecting Communities grant application for planning along the Eisenhower Corridor.

 
 


FINANCIAL SUMMARY

MPC is able to advance its mission of creating a more equitable and sustainable Chicago region thanks to the generous contributions of individuals, corporations, and foundations. By directly funding MPC’s work, these valued partners enable us to focus on ensuring that everyone in the region has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

 
 


DONORS

We are deeply grateful for the valued contributions we received throughout the year from our many supporters. These contributions have made a meaningful difference as they have enabled us to continue our work toward creating a more equitable and just Chicago region.

$500,000 and above

  • The Chicago Community Trust

$250,000 - $499,999

  • The Joyce Foundation

$100,000 - $249,999

  • Crown Family Philanthropies
  • Grand Victoria Foundation
  • The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
  • McDougal Family Foundation
  • PERT Foundation
  • Robert R. McCormick Foundation
  • Walder Foundation
  • Yagan Family Foundation

$50,000 - $99,999

  • Bowman Lingle Foundation
  • City of Chicago, Department of Housing
  • ComEd, An Exelon Company
  • Gaylord and Dorothy
  • Donnelley Foundation
  • Harris Family Foundation
  • Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
  • Polk Bros. Foundation
  • U.S. Bank

$20,000 - $49,999

  • Abbott
  • AptarGroup, Inc.
  • Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
  • Bank of America
  • BMO Harris Bank
  • Conant Family Foundation
  • The Crown Family
  • Kent P. Dauten, Keystone Capital
  • Energy Foundation
  • Fifth Third Bank and Chicagoland Foundation
  • GCM Grosvenor
  • ITW
  • LaSalle Investment Management/JLL
  • McDonald's
  • Mesirow Financial
  • Steven N. Miller
  • Nicor Gas
  • Northern Trust
  • Peoples Gas Community Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation
  • PNC
  • The Pritzker Traubert Foundation
  • The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Wintrust Financial Corporation

$10,000 - $19,999

  • Allstate
  • Association of American Railroads
  • Bucksbaum Properties, LLC
  • The Canning Foundation
  • Ellen Carnahan, Carnahan Family Foundation
  • The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation
  • Dr. Scholl Foundation
  • Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLC
  • InterPark Holdings LLC
  • Carol Lavin Bernick Family Foundation
  • John W. Madigan
  • Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC
  • Old National Bancorp
  • Peoples Gas
  • Prince Charitable Trusts
  • Regional Plan Association
  • Segal Family Foundation
  • Reed Singer
  • The Grainger Foundation
  • TransitCenter, Inc.

$5,000 - $9,999

  • Leslie Bluhm
  • Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd.
  • Ciere Boatright, CRG
  • Edelman Heitman LLC
  • Illinois American Water
  • Illinois Department of Natural Resources
  • Kirkland & Ellis LLP
  • Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
  • Laritza Lopez, PurpleGroup
  • Jim and Kitty Mann
  • National Equity Fund, Inc.
  • R.M. Chin & Associates, Inc.
  • Emma Rodriguez-Ayala & Eric Chitwood
  • Mark G. Sander
  • Bruce and Barbie Taylor Family Fund
  • The Equiticity Racial Equity Movement
  • Thompson Family Fund at 
    The Chicago Community Foundation
  • Melissa Y. Washington

$1,000 - $4,999

  • Anonymous
  • Ramiro J. Atristaín-Carrión
  • Kyle Barnett
  • Todd and Sheyrl Brown
  • Christopher B. Burke
  • Patricia Callahan
  • Paul and Rebecca Carlisle
  • Eileen Chin
  • Zena Diggs
  • Nedra Sims Fears
  • Manuel Flores
  • Alejandra Garza
  • Nancy S. Gerrie
  • Mr. and Mrs. James J. Glasser
  • Janet R. Gonzalez Tudor
  • Linda Goodman and David Narefsky
  • Jacques N. Gordon and Elizabeth H. Wiltshire
  • Hill and Cheryl Hammock
  • David D. Hiller
  • Dorothy Jiganti
  • Jocarno Fund
  • Johnson Research Group
  • Amy Turnbull Khare
  • Tom Kirschbraun
  • Mary K. Ludgin
  • Erica Marquez Avitia
  • David A. Mook and Kathleen A. Stodgell
  • Sameer Patel
  • Frank D. Pellicori
  • Matthew R. Reilein
  • Joan Rockey
  • Rush University Medical Center
  • Sahara Enterprises, Inc.
  • SmithGroup
  • Unmi Song
  • Ellen and Jim Stirling
  • Peter Sutton
  • Michael A. Thomas
  • Pam and Doug Walter
  • David L. Williams
  • Paula Wolff

Under $1,000

  • AbbVie Inc.
  • Erin L. Aleman
  • Matthew Altstiel
  • John and Elizabeth Andersen
  • Anonymous
  • Lenny Asaro
  • Atristain Financial Advisors, LLC
  • Calvert W. Audrain
  • Meena Beyers
  • Catherine Biagioli
  • Juanna Blackwell
  • Christopher J. Boebel and
    Glenna Eaves
  • Joel Bookman
  • Mark Bookman
  • Kelly V. Carter
  • Andrea Chwee
  • Etahn Cohen
  • The Coleman Foundation
  • Jane B. Colman
  • Geraldine Conrad
  • Barbara Flynn Currie
  • Leah Cuyler
  • Gillian Darlow
  • Peggy A. Davis
  • Shelley A. Davis
  • Suheily Davis
  • Mary Kay Devine
  • Monica Drane and Paul Shadle
    J. Michael Drew
  • Christopher Eagan
  • Anna Edwards
  • Polly Eldringhoff
  • Janet Elson
  • Mark Finger
  • Dr. Lawrence Friedman
  • Elliot Frolichstein-Appel
  • Corliss V. Garner
  • Emily and Sean Garrett
  • GET Cities
  • Timothy J. Gilfoyle
  • Jay Goldner
  • Amanda Gomez
  • Eleanor Gorski
  • Kimberlee Guenther
  • Dr. Donald Haider
  • Leo Harmon
  • Jessica Harris
  • Terri T. Haymaker
  • Cara Hendrickson
  • Darlene O. Hightower
  • Robert A. Hutchins
  • Internet Public Trust
  • Cindy Irani
  • Lisa Jericho
  • Candice Johnson
  • Jacqueline Jordan
  • Helen J. Kessler
  • Roger G. Kotecki
  • KPMG LLP
  • Rana Lee
  • John and Jill Levi
  • Bernard Loyd
  • Daniel Mahoney
  • Matthew Malec
  • Wyllys Mann
  • Laurie B. Marston
  • David May
  • Linda P. Mellis
  • Susan J. Moran & John M. McDonough
  • Richard F. Morrisroe
  • Jenné Myers
  • Adam Niermann
  • Sulema Medrano Novak
  • Marisa Novara
  • Heather D. Parish
  • Erika Poethig and Ray Sendejas
  • Julian G. Posada
  • Shane Print
  • Elle Ramel
  • Kevin "Vin" Reed
  • Laura A. Reilly
  • Janice E. Rodgers
  • Andrea Sáenz
  • Louise P. Saltzman
  • John Sassaris
  • Dennis Sherman
  • Adele S. Simmons
  • David Simmons
  • Edward M. Sitar
  • Jeff E. and Kristen Lee Smith
  • MaryBeth Smith
  • Robert B. Smith
  • Sarvesh Soi
  • Judith Soto
  • Jeffrey Sriver
  • Karen M. Tamley
  • Mark Taylor
  • Karen Tiedmann
    Martin Trzpit
  • Kristin Carlson Vogen and Shawn Vogen
  • Bradford J. White
  • Marianne Woodward
  • Rana Wright
  • Richard Yant


LEADERSHIP

MPC’s leadership plays a crucial role in building strong partnerships that bring together diverse perspectives and resources to create positive change. By fostering collaboration between government, community, and business leaders, MPC is able to bridge gaps and address complex challenges in the Chicago region. We believe that respectful and trusting relationships are key to successful problem-solving, and we are committed to upholding these values in all of our partnerships. We value the contributions of our partners and look forward to continued collaboration to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

Board of Governors // Executive Committee Officers

  • Chair

    Melissa Y. Washington

    VP External Affairs & Large Customer Solutions

    ComEd

  • Vice Chair-Development

    Kyle Barnett

    Head of Strategy Oper. & Enterprise Transformation

    BMO Financial Group

  • Vice Chair-Development

    Paul C. Carlisle

    COO & Market Head – Commercial Banking

    Wintrust Financial

    Corporation

  • Vice Chair-Development

    Janet Chess

    VP & Technology
    Managing Director

    IBM

  • General Counsel

    David L. Williams

    Partner

    Faegre Drinker Biddle &

    Reath LLC

  • Treasurer

    Ramiro J. Atristaín-Carrión

    Managing Director

    Atristain Financial Advisors,

    LLC

  • Past Chair

    Ellen Carnahan

    Principal

    Machrie Enterprises LLC

  • President & CEO

    Darlene Oliver Hightower

    President & CEO

    Metropolitan Planning

    Council


Board of Governors

  • *denotes Executive

    Committee Members

    **denotes resigned in 2022

  • Erica Marquez Avitia

    Chief Operating Officer

    Old Mission Capital, LLC

  • Carol Ross Barney

    Founder & President

    Ross Barney Architects, Inc.

  • *Meena Beyers

    VP, Business and Community Development

    Nicor Gas

  • Ciere Boatright

    VP of Real Estate and Community Development

    CRG

  • *Matthew Brewer

    Partner

    Bartlit Beck LLP

  • **Carole L. Brown

    Head of Asset Management Group/EVP

    PNC Financial Services

    Group

  • Todd C. Brown

  • Christopher B. Burke

    CEO

    Christopher B. Burke

    Engineering, Ltd.

  • Eileen Chin

    President & CEO

    R.M. Chin & Associates, Inc.

  • **Chris Conley

    Founder

    Two Bit Ventures, LLC

  • Lester Crown

    Chairman

    Henry Crown & Company

  • **Francesca DeBiase

    Executive VP, Chief Supply Chain Officer

    McDonald’s

  • Zena Diggs

    Senior Vice President

    Bank of America

  • Polly Eldringhoff
    (joined 2023)

    VP-Operational Performance
    & Compliance

    Peoples Gas

  • Nedra Sims Fears

    Executive Director

    Greater Chatham Initiative

  • *Manuel Flores

    President & CEO

    SomerCor

  • **James C. Franczek

    President

    Franczek P.C.

  • Alejandra Garza

    Principal

    AGG Consulting, Inc.

  • Janet R. Gonzalez Tudor

    Transportation Operational

    Resiliency Director

    HDR

  • Linda Goodman

    Principal

    Goodman Williams Group

  • **Jacques N. Gordon

    Global Investment Strategist

    LaSalle Investment

    Management

  • **Martha Linsley

    Manager, Financial Planning
    & Analysis

    Obama Foundation

  • Laritza Lopez

    Founder & CEO

    PurpleGroup

  • Bernard Loyd

    President

    Urban Juncture, Inc.

  • Mary Katherine Ludgin

    Senior Managing Director,
    Head of Global Research

    Heitman LLC

  • James E. Mann

  • Lee M. Mitchell

    Managing Partner

    Thomas Bravo, Inc.

  • David Mook

    Chief Private Banking Officer

    U.S. Bank

  • Daryl Newell

    Senior Vice President,
    Market Manager

    PNC

  • Jim O’Leary

    U.S. COO, Corp. Affairs
    Practice, Chair

    Edelman

  • Sameer Patel

    Partner

    Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

  • Frank D. Pellicori

    Director of Wealth Management

    Vivaldi Capital Management

  • **J. Scot Pepper

    President

    Pepper Construction

    Company

  • *Julian G. Posada

    President

    LiftUp Enterprises

  • Elle Ramel

    Chicago Director

    GET Cities

  • George A. Ranney, Jr.

    *Matthew R. Reilein

    President & CEO

    National Equity Fund, Inc.

  • Robert G. Reiter

    President

    Chicago Federation of Labor

  • Alana Ward Robinson

    President & CEO

    Robinson Group

    Consulting, Inc.

  • **Emma L. Rodriguez-Ayala

    General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer

    Legal & General Investment

    Management America

  • Unmi Song

    President

    Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

  • Bruce W. Taylor

    Managing Partner

    Taylor Investment Partners II

  • Michael A. Thomas

    Vice President Administration
    & Real Estate

    Allstate Insurance Company

  • **Mary White Vasys

    President

    Vasys Consulting Ltd.

  • **Paula Wolff

    Policy Advisor

    Illinois Justice Project

  • *Jessica Droste Yagan

    Partner & CEO

    Impact Engine


Honorary Board

  • Laurence O. Booth

    Design Principal

    Booth Hansen Associates

  • Joseph A. Gregoire

    Senior Vice President

    Wintrust Financial

    Corporation

  • Donald Haider

    Professor of Public Management

    Northwestern University,

    Kellogg School of Management

  • King Harris

    Chairman

    Harris Holdings

  • John M. McDonough

  • Priscilla A. Walter

    Walter Law Offices

Executive Advisors

  • Wilfried Aulbur

    Senior Partner, Member Supervisory Board

    Roland Berger Consultant

  • Carol L. Bernick

    CEO

    Polished Nickel Capital

    Management LLC

  • John L. Bucksbaum

    Chief Executive Officer

    Bucksbaum Properties, LLC

  • Jonathan C. Bunge

    Partner

    Quinn Emanuel Urquhart &

    Sullivan, LLP

  • David R. Casper

    U.S. CEO

    BMO Harris Bank

  • Robert M. Chapman

    Chief Executive Officer

    CenterPoint Properties Trust

  • Keating Crown

    Managing Principal

    Sterling Bay Companies

  • Marsha Cruzan

    Regional President

    U.S. Bank

  • J. Michael Drew

    Founding Principal

    Structured Development, LLC

  • John R. Ettelson

    Chairman

    William Blair & Company, LLC

  • Robert W. Frentzel

    Managing Director and Co-Head of Commercial Banking

    CIBC Bank USA

  • John S. Gates, Jr.

    Executive Chairman

    TradeLane Properties, LLC

  • Nancy S. Gerrie

    Retired Partner

    Winston & Strawn LLP

  • Ari F. Glass

    Head of Real Estate

    Mansueto Office Inc

  • Michael L. Keiser

    Owner

    Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

  • Steven N. Miller

    Partner & Co-Founder

    Origin Ventures

  • Charles J. Moore

    President

    The Banc Funds Company

  • J. Marshall Peck

    President

    InterPark Holdings LLC

  • Joan Rockey

    Chief Financial Officer

    The Mather Group

  • Mark G. Sander

    President & CEO

    Old National Bancorp

  • Katherine M. Scherer

    Managing Partner | Business Tax Services

    Deloitte LLP

  • Michael L. Scudder

    Chairman, President & CEO

    First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

  • Kristofer Swanson

    VP and Practice Leader, Forensic Services

    Charles River Associates

  • Scott C. Swanson

    President

    PNC Illinois

  • Stephan B. Tanda

    President & CEO

    AptarGroup, Inc.

  • Edward J. Wehmer

    Founder, President & CEO

    Wintrust Financial

    Corporation

  • Theodore Weldon, III

    Executive General Manager

    – Development

    Lendlease Development Inc.


Effective Government Committee

  • M. Hill Hammock

    Co-Chair

    Cook County Health &

    Hospital System

  • Alana Ward Robinson

    Co-Chair

    Robinson Group

    Consulting, Inc.

  • William Balling

    WRB LLC

  • Christina Burns

    Village of Oswego

  • Eileen Chin

    R.M. Chin & Associates, Inc.

  • Chris Conley

    Two Bit Ventures, LLC

  • Daniel Cooper

    Metropolitan Planning

    Council

  • Rodney S. Craig

    Village of Hanover Park

  • Robert Dean

    Center for Neighborhood

    Technology

  • Robert V. Fitzsimmons

    Next Generation Public

    Affairs, Inc.

  • Mark L. Fowler

    Northwest Municipal

    Conference

  • Shubhra Govind

    Village of Hanover Park

  • Lindsay Hollander

  • Bo Kemp

    Southland Development

    Authority

  • Martha Linsley

    Obama Foundation

  • Joseph Mancino

    Greensigns LLC

  • Michael A. Pagano

    University of Illinois at

    Chicago

  • Heather D. Parish

    The Albert Pick Jr. Fund

  • Sergio Rodriguez

    Village of Summit

  • Sabina L. Shaikh

    University of Chicago

  • David S. Silverman

    Ancel Glink, P.C.

  • Regan Stockstell

    Village of Richton Park

  • Justin Williams

    Metropolitan Planning

    Council

  • Paula Wolff

    Illinois Justice Project


Housing and Community Development Committee

  • Ciere Boatright
    Co-Chair

    CRG

  • Pamela Daniels-Halisi

    Co-Chair

    BMO Harris Bank

  • Amy Turnbull Khare

    Co-Chair

    National Initiative on

    Mixed-Income Communities

  • Bennett Applegate

    Applegate & Thorne-

    Thomsen, P.C.

  • Forrest D. Bailey

    Draper and Kramer, Inc.

  • David E. Baker

    America’s Urban Campus

  • Charles L. Bell

    U.S. Bank

  • Matthew Brewer

    Bartlit Beck LLP

  • Todd C. Brown

  • Lee M. Brown

    Teska Associates, Inc.

  • Andre L. Brumfield

    Gensler

  • Lissette Castañeda

    Latin United Community

    Housing Association (LUCHA)

  • Nedra Sims Fears

    Greater Chatham Initiative

  • Kendra Freeman

    Metropolitan Planning

    Council

  • Andrew E. Geer

    Enterprise Community

    Partners

  • Veronica Gonzalez

    The NHP Foundation

  • Linda Goodman

    Goodman Williams Group

  • King Harris

    Harris Holdings

  • Juanita Irizarry

    Friends of the Parks

  • Peter Levavi

    Brinshore Development LLC

  • Laritza Lopez

    PurpleGroup

  • Bernard Loyd

    Urban Juncture, Inc.

  • Wyllys Mann

    MVAH Partners, LLC

  • Bob Palmer

    Housing Action Illinois

  • Sameer Patel

    Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

  • Matthew R. Reilein

    National Equity Fund, Inc.

  • Pete Saunders

    Village of Richton Park

  • Bruce W. Taylor

    Taylor Investment Partners II

  • Mary White Vasys

    Vasys Consulting Ltd.

  • Stacie A. Young

    Community Investment

    Corporation


Land Use and Planning Committee

  • Paul C. Carlisle

    Co-Chair

    Wintrust Financial

    Corporation

  • Alejandra Garza

    Co-Chair

    AGG Consulting, Inc.

  • Paola Aguirre

    Borderless Studio

  • Jaime Arteaga

    LISC Chicago

  • Adam Ballard

    AARP

  • Phillip Beckham

    P3 Markets

  • Janet Chess

    IBM

  • Ellen C. Craig

    Fernando De Maio

    DePaul University

  • Zena Diggs

    Bank of America

  • Maria Ferrera

    DePaul University

  • Ghian Foreman

    Emerald South Economic

    Development Collaborative

  • Meleah Geertsma

    Natural Resources Defense

    Council

  • Linda Goodman

    Goodman Williams Group

  • Shubhra Govind

    Village of Hanover Park

  • Christina Harris

    Metropolitan Planning

    Council

  • Vanessa Harris

    Strategy for Access

    Foundation NFP

  • Juanita Irizarry

    Friends of the Parks

  • Rebecca Judd

    Gaylord and Dorothy

    Donnelley Foundation

  • Thomas C. Kirschbraun

    Jones Lang LaSalle

  • Kindy Kruller

    Muse Community + Design

  • Mary Katherine Ludgin

    Heitman LLC

  • James E. Mann

  • Erica Marquez Avitia

    Old Mission Capital, LLC

  • Zorica Nedovic-Budic

  • Daryl Newell

    PNC

  • Cathleen O’Brien

    Access Living

  • J. Scot Pepper

    Pepper Construction

      Company

  • Julian G. Posada

    LiftUp Enterprises

  • Anjulie Rao

  • Rob Reuland

    Site Design Group

  • Emma L. Rodriguez-Ayala

    Legal & General Investment

    Management America

  • Carol Ross Barney

    Ross Barney Architects, Inc.

  • Traci Sanders

    Enterprise Community

    Partners

  • Elizabeth Scott

    Chicago Metropolitan

    Agency for Planning

  • Anton Seals

    Grow Greater Englewood

  • Paul Shadle

    DLA Piper

  • Raj C. Shah

    Rush University Medical

    Center

  • David J. Siegel

    Sidley Austin LLP

  • Unmi Song

    Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

  • William Tippens

    Related Midwest

  • Michael A. Toolis

    Chelsea Lighting

  • Steven Vance

    Chicago Cityscape

  • Kimberly Wasserman Nieto

    Little Village Environmental

    Justice Organization


Transportation Committee

  • Thomas Kotarac

    Co-Chair

    Civic Committee of the

    Commercial Club of Chicago

  • William Abolt

    AECOM

  • Felip Ballesteros

    Purple Group

  • Kyle Barnett

    BMO Financial Group

  • Dionne Baux

    National Main Street

    Center, Inc.

  • Kristi DeLaurentiis

    South Suburban Mayors and

      Managers Association

  • Ann M. Drake

    Lincoln Road Enterprises

  • Cindy A. Fish

    Fish Transportation Group

  • Manuel Flores

    SomerCor

  • Jacqueline L. Forbes

    Kane County Division of

    Transportation

  • James C. Franczek

    Franczek P.C.

  • Janet R. Gonzalez Tudor

    HDR

  • Jacques N. Gordon

    LaSalle Investment

    Management

  • Jessica Hector-Hsu

    Regional Transportation

    Authority

  • Sidney Kenyon

    DuPage County Division

    of Transportation

  • Martha Linsley

    Obama Foundation

  • Kate Lowe

    University of Illinois at

    Chicago, CUPPA

  • Neil McMonagle

    Ernst & Young LLP

  • David Mook

    U.S. Bank

  • Thomas H. Morsch

    Morsch Expeditions

  • Barbara Padilla

    LCM Architects

  • J. Scot Pepper

    Pepper Construction

    Company

  • Olatunji Oboi Reed

    The Equiticity Racial Equity

    Movement

  • Robert G. Reiter

    Chicago Federation of Labor

  • Carol Ross Barney

    Ross Barney Architects, Inc.

  • Emily Tapia Lopez

    HNTB

  • Audrey Wennink

    Metropolitan Planning

    Council

  • Mae Whiteside

    CKL Engineers, LLC

  • Laura Wilkison

    Chicago Metropolitan

    Agency for Planning

  • Paula Wolff

    Illinois Justice Project

  • Paula Worthington

    University of Chicago

  • Jonathon Zabrocki

    Robinson Engineering Ltd.


Water Resources Committee

  • Suzanne Malec-McKenna

    Co-Chair

  • Amrou Atassi

    CDM Smith

  • Nora June Beck

    Chicago Metropolitan

    Agency for Planning

  • Christopher B. Burke

    Christopher B. Burke

    Engineering, Ltd.

  • Ellen Carnahan

    Machrie Enterprises LLC

  • Anna-Lisa Castle

    Alliance for the Great Lakes

  • Carolyn Grieves

    Baxter & Woodman, Inc.

  • Alaina J. Harkness

    Current

  • Edith Makra

    Metropolitan Mayors Caucus

  • James E. Mann

  • Andrew Martin

    Greeley and Hansen

  • Paul May

    DuPage Water Commission

  • Peter Mulvaney

    Jacobs Engineering Group,

    Inc.

  • Cristina Negri

    Argonne National Laboratory

  • Margaret Schneemann

    Chicago Metropolitan

    Agency for Planning

  • Sabina L. Shaikh

    University of Chicago

  • Manju Sharma

    SPAAN Tech, Inc.

  • Michael A. Thomas

    Allstate Insurance Company

  • Ryan Wilson

    Metropolitan Planning

      Council


Thanks for Your Support

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported MPC’s work in promoting racial and economic justice in the Chicago region. Your generosity has allowed us to work toward our new vision of creating Thriving Communities, Equitable Infrastructure, and Just Public Systems. We remain committed to shaping a Chicago region that values every community and where everyone can affordably live, work, and thrive. Thank you for being a crucial part of our journey toward building a more equitable and just society.


About MPC

Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is an independent planning and policy organization working to address regional built environment issues through a racial and economic justice lens. MPC partners with communities, businesses, and government to advance policy and drive systemic change toward a more racially equitable and economically just Chicago region. MPC is committed to shaping a Chicago region where every community is valued, every person has a voice, and every neighborhood thrives.


Mission

MPC transforms policies and practices to advance racial and economic justice in our communities, infrastructure, and public systems.


Vision

The Chicago region is a place where every community is valued, every person has a voice, and every neighborhood thrives.

 
 
Metropolitan Planning Council 140 S. Dearborn St.
Suite 1400 Chicago, Ill. 60603 P 312 922 5616 F 312 922 5619 info@metroplanning.org
Shaping a better, bolder, more equitable future for everyone

For more than 85 years, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has partnered with communities, businesses, and governments to unleash the greatness of the Chicago region. We believe that every neighborhood has promise, every community should be heard, and every person can thrive. To tackle the toughest urban planning and development challenges, we create collaborations that change perceptions, conversations—and the status quo. Read more about our work »

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