On October 3, 2022 Mayor Lori Lightfoot delivered her $16.4 billion budget for the City of Chicago to City Council. In July, the City conducted a community engagement process and partnered with UIC’s Neighborhoods Initiative (UICNI) at the Great Cities Institute to design and engagement activities around the City’s 2023 […]
Blog
Keep up to date with the latest blog posts from our staff & GCI collaborators. Blogs may not necessarily reflect the opinions of GCI, UIC, or other official positions.
Great Cities Releases Updated Hardship Index for Chicago Community Areas
Originally developed as an index to compare the economic disparities between the suburbs and inner cities, the Great Cities Institute utilized the methodology and applied it to Chicago community areas.
Great Cities Institute Collaborates to Produce Community Databook
The new Lawndale Service Area Databook identifies trends of wealth leakage and employment/education mismatch and argues for investment that benefits the residents.
Gang Expert, John Hagedorn, Speaks on Most Recent Book
On March 17, 2022, we had the great honor of hosting John Hagedorn to speak about his latest book, Gangs on Trial: Challenging Stereotypes and Demonization in the Courts.
Gangs on Trial: A Conversation with John Hagedorn
I believe research needs to be understood outside of “truth for its own sake,” and deliberately designed to benefit those in powerless communities, especially those who are stigmatized and demonized. If social scientists will not defend the powerless, what values do we have?
Between a Bullet and Its Target
Street intervention work involves proactive community engagement of individuals who are involved in gangs, cliques, or other street organizations to reduce their risk of violence perpetration or victimization.
Sense, Memory, and Architecture – Opening Night of Coldefy, The Exhibition
Great Cities Institute is happy to join the Alliance Francaise de Chicago for the opening night and special panel of the Coldefy Exhibition on November 11, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. at 54 W. Chicago Avenue. Attendance is Free with registration.
A Video of Powerful Women of Color Speaking about Environmental Racism
We are honored that we can share the video with you of these iconic women who have blazed trails and fought mightily for the survival of their communities and their homelands.
Women who Ignited the Environmental Justice Movement
At a time when the term, environmental justice, is being used more widely, it is worthwhile to learn more about the roots of the term and of the Environmental Justice Movement, particularly to understand how the very poisoning of communities of color is directly tied to the conditions that are pushing us closer to climate catastrophe.
Positive Hopes and Dreams: Rest in Power Timuel Black
Timuel Black, civil rights activist, educator, and historian joined his ancestors on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. He will be laid to rest on Wednesday, October 20th in a private service at the First Unitarian Church in Hyde Park. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 5th.