Save the Date: 30th Anniversary of the Great Cities Institute

 

On December 1, 2025, we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Great Cities Institute (GCI), marking three decades of commitment to urban research, policy, and community engagement. This milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on the vision that led to the founding of GCI and to honor the ongoing work that continues to shape cities and communities.

In 1995, the Great Cities Institute was established as part of UIC’s Great Cities Initiative, a bold commitment to addressing urban challenges through research, collaboration, and public engagement. That same year, then-Governor Jim Edgar proclaimed December 1 as Great Cities Day in Illinois, recognizing the role of cities as centers of knowledge, creativity, and economic growth while also acknowledging the complex challenges they face, from housing and employment to education and public health. The resolution emphasized the need for comprehensive and integrated approaches to improving urban life—values that have remained at the core of GCI’s mission.

Over the past 30 years, GCI has been a driving force in advancing urban policy and fostering partnerships between academia, government, businesses, and community organizations. Through research, convenings, and direct engagement, GCI has worked to address critical issues in Chicago and beyond, reinforcing UIC’s role as a university that is deeply connected to its urban environment.

As we mark this important anniversary, we will reflect on the legacy of the Great Cities concept and look ahead to the future of urban innovation and community-centered research. We hope you will join us on December 1, 2025, to celebrate this momentous occasion and the impact of the Great Cities Institute over the past three decades.

More details about the event, including time, location, and speakers, will be announced soon. Stay tuned for updates!

 

Event Details:

Date: Monday, December 1st, 2025

Time: 8:30 AM to 5 PM

Location: UIC Student Center East (750 S. Halsted St)

 

Please click here to RSVP. To download flyer, please click here.

 

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Illinois Language Needs Assessment Report, June 2025

Executive Summary:

This Language Needs Assessment Report was prepared by Rob Paral, Senior Research Specialist at the Great Cities Institute (GCI) at the University of Illinois Chicago, and commissioned by the Illinois Governor’s Office of New Americans in compliance with the Language Equity and Access Act (Public Act 103-0723). The report draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) to provide a comprehensive portrait of the linguistic landscape of Illinois, with particular focus on residents who are Limited-English Proficient (LEP).

The assessment identifies more than one million Illinois residents who speak English less than “very well,” and highlights the geographic, demographic, and linguistic diversity of this population across the state. The findings underscore the need for state agencies to provide equitable, language-accessible services, reflecting both federal mandates and Illinois’ commitment to inclusion and public service equity. The report also documents emerging trends in language use, noting shifts in migration patterns and the evolving composition of LEP communities.

By offering detailed data on language prevalence and English proficiency across counties, municipalities, and community areas, this report is intended to guide policy implementation, resource allocation, and strategic planning efforts aimed at strengthening access to public services for linguistically diverse populations statewide.

Key findings are as follows:

    • One Million Illinois Residents Are LEP:
      Approximately 1 million residents (9% of the population) speak English less than “very well” and may require language assistance to access state services.

    • Illinois Is Linguistically Diverse:
      Over 2.8 million people (24% of the population) speak a language other than English at home. Spanish is the most common, followed by Polish, Chinese, Tagalog, Arabic, and others.

    • LEP Individuals Are Spread Statewide:
      While most LEP residents live in the Chicago metro area, sizable populations exist across the state, including rural counties and mid-sized cities like Rock Island, Champaign, and Springfield.

    • Demographics Show LEP Residents Are Often Older and Female:
      The median age of LEP individuals is 49, with women comprising a slight majority in most language groups.

    • The LEP Population Is Growing Again:
      After a period of decline, the number of LEP residents has risen by 82,000 since 2019, due in part to new migration from countries such as Venezuela and Ukraine.

 

ArcGIS Data Dashboard:

The Illinois Language Needs Assessment Dashboard, developed by the Great Cities Institute, is an interactive mapping tool designed to help users explore the distribution and characteristics of LEP populations across the state. Drawing on U.S. Census Bureau data, the dashboard presents statewide totals as well as detailed demographic information about individuals who speak English less than “very well.” Users can explore LEP data by county, including the total number of LEP residents, the percentage of the county population that is LEP, and demographic characteristics such as age, gender, and place of birth. Additionally, the dashboard highlights the top languages spoken at home in each county, offering insight into the linguistic diversity present throughout Illinois. This tool supports state agencies, policymakers, and community organizations in assessing local language needs and planning more inclusive and accessible public services.

 

Author:

Rob Paral
Senior Research Specialist

 

 

Read and Download the Full Report Here.

 

 

Creative Roots, Equitable Futures: Latino Arts in Chicago

Executive Summary:

Creative Roots, Equitable Futures: Latino Arts in Chicago presents a data-informed analysis of the cultural and economic contributions of Latino arts organizations in Chicago, while also exposing the ongoing inequities in how these organizations are funded and represented. Latino communities make up nearly 30 percent of the city’s population and support a dynamic ecosystem of more than 300 organizations engaged in theater, music, dance, visual arts, film, and multidisciplinary work. These organizations are essential to Chicago’s cultural identity, yet they receive disproportionately low levels of public and philanthropic support.

This report applies a mixed-methods approach to provide a comprehensive picture of the Latino arts landscape. To analyze funding, it draws on data from the Foundation Directory, NEA GrantSearch, and DCASE public records. To assess economic impact, the study uses IMPLAN modeling and ESRI Spending Potential data, along with demographic and economic data from the U.S. Census and Economic Census. To explore issues of visibility and access, the report incorporates media coverage, award systems, and publicly available institutional documents.

Between 2020 and 2022, Latino arts organizations received between 4.2 percent and 6.6 percent of philanthropic arts funding in Chicago, with 5.4 percent in 2022. In total, 56 organizations received 655 grants totaling $21.9 million, the majority of which were small and designated for general operating support. Public arts funding showed similar disparities. NEA grants to Latino organizations typically ranged from $10,000 to $20,000, and were often awarded to larger institutions rather than community-based groups.

Despite these gaps, Latino arts play a vital role in the local economy. Arts and culture contribute $36 billion to Illinois’s economy and support over 216,000 jobs. In Chicago, the arts sector generates $1.72 billion in economic activity and provides 11,000 jobs. Latino arts organizations, from grassroots initiatives to major institutions, contribute significantly through employment, neighborhood activation, cultural tourism, and youth programming. Each dollar invested in the arts yields approximately $1.30 in economic return.

Latino artists and organizations continue to face systemic barriers, including limited access to funding networks, performance space, and leadership roles within grantmaking institutions. Media visibility and award recognition also remain low. However, emerging coalitions, advocacy efforts, and new equity-focused initiatives have begun to shift the landscape toward greater inclusion.

This report calls for sustained and proportionate investment in Latino arts. Supporting this sector is not only an act of cultural equity but a strategic investment in the economic and civic life of Chicago.

Below is a photo from the 2025 Chicago Latino Arts & Culture Summit (CLACS), where findings from the Creative Roots, Equitable Futures report were shared during the opening session on Latino arts, equity, and Chicago’s cultural landscape. Katherine Faydash and Dr. Teresa Córdova led the discussion, offering data-driven insights into the contributions of Latino arts organizations, funding disparities, and strategies for advancing equity across the city’s arts ecosystem. Their presentation helped set the tone for a day centered on resilience, advocacy, and creative leadership.

 

Acknowledgments:

This report was commissioned by the Chicago Latino Arts & Culture Network (CLACN), whose leadership, partnership, and long-standing commitment to cultural equity made this research possible. The core questions that shaped this analysis emerged directly from CLACN’s advocacy and vision—specifically from the desire to better understand the scope, impact, and structural challenges facing Latino arts organizations in Chicago. We are especially grateful for CLACN’s trust and intellectual partnership throughout this process. Special thanks to Jorge Valdivia, for his partnership, clarity of vision, and collaboration in the development of this report. The authors gratefully acknowledge the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for its generous support of this work. Their investment reflects a meaningful commitment to advancing equity and visibility for culturally rooted organizations across the city.

This report was researched and developed by Katherine Faydash, with the support of colleagues at the UIC Great Cities Institute. Special thanks to Dr. Teresa Córdova, Thea Crum, and Matt Wilson for their guidance, research collaboration, and insight at every stage of development. We also extend our appreciation to the many artists, organizers, and cultural workers whose leadership continues to shape a more vibrant, just, and inclusive arts landscape in Chicago.

 

Author:

Katherine Faydash
Editor and Urban Planner

 

 

Read and Download the Full Report Here.

Download the PowerPoint Presentation Here.

 

Great Cities Institute Releases New Youth Jobless Report

Great Cities Institute Releases New Youth Jobless Report

 

As part of its ongoing commitment to provide timely research and data on youth employment in Chicago and Illinois, the Great Cities Institute (GCI) has released its latest data brief, “Youth Employment Data Brief: Racial and Geographic Inequities in Youth and Young Adult Joblessness and Disconnection in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, and the U.S., 2019–2023.” Commissioned by the Alternative Schools Network, this new report analyzes the most recent five years of census data to track trends in youth joblessness and disconnection from school and work, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, age, and geography.

Despite overall labor market improvements since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, recovery has been incomplete and uneven. Young people of color, especially Black and Latino youth in Chicago, remain disconnected from both work and school at alarmingly high rates. These persistent disparities threaten long-term economic mobility, community stability, and the future prospects of Chicago’s next generation.

Key findings include:

    • Exceptionally High Joblessness: In 2023, over 78% of Black 16- to 19-year-olds in Chicago were jobless, compared to 74.2% of Latino and 73.8% of White youth, rates well above national and state averages.
    • Persistent Disconnection: Black youth in Chicago remain significantly more likely to be out of school and jobless than their peers. In 2023, 14.3% of Black 16- to 19-year-olds were disconnected, more than four times the rate for White youth.
    • Uneven Recovery for Young Adults: Jobless rates for Black 20- to 24-year-olds declined in 2022 but rose again in 2023 to 47.6%, while rates for White and Latino peers steadily fell, widening racial disparities.
    • Stark Spatial Inequities: Maps show jobless and disconnected youth are concentrated in South, West, and Southeast Side neighborhoods in Chicago, where rates often exceed 80% for teens.
    • Programmatic Impacts: The report reviews rigorous research showing that summer youth employment programs are a proven, cost-effective way to reduce violence, improve job readiness, boost academic outcomes, and build social-emotional skills:
      • In Chicago, the One Summer Chicago Plus program produced a 43% reduction in violent crime arrests among participants and showed an 11:1 benefit-cost ratio.
      • Studies from Boston and New York confirm that participants in summer jobs programs develop critical soft skills, build stronger ties to their communities and mentors, and achieve higher rates of academic success.
      • Youth who work during high school are more likely to accumulate wealth, own homes, and participate in the stock market later in life.

A coalition of organizations across Illinois including the Alternative Schools Network and many youth advocacy groups are calling on state lawmakers to allocate $150 million in new funding for summer and year-round youth employment opportunities. Their goal: to employ at least 50,000 young people across Illinois, with a focus on communities most impacted by joblessness and disconnection. As the data in this report makes clear, this level of investment is urgently needed to address persistent inequities and help set the next generation on a path to success.

The report was covered by WGN, NBC 5 Chicago, WBEZ Chicago’s Fresh Air and Morning Edition, WBBM Newsradio 780 & 105.9 FM Late Morning News, WFLD (FOX) Good Day Chicago, and the WVON Morning Show with Ernest Fenton.

See GCI’s Associate Director for Economic and Workforce Development, Matt Wilson, discuss the report’s findings on WGN here: https://wgntv.com/video/chicago-youth-unemployment-report/10731467/

 

Crain’s Chicago Business: Chicago’s population is growing again

According to newly revised Census Bureau estimates, Chicago added 22,164 residents from mid-2023 to mid-2024, making it the seventh-largest population gain among U.S. cities. This marks a second consecutive year of growth following nearly a decade of decline, reversing a narrative of urban shrinkage and aligning with broader national trends showing growth in most large U.S. cities.

The Census Bureau attributed the change, in part, to updated methods that better account for humanitarian immigration, including arrivals from Venezuela and Ukraine.

Rob Paral, Senior Researcher at the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago, emphasized the role of migration in driving this growth:

“There’s no question this international crisis-driven migration would have a positive population effect on Chicago,” he explained. “We’ve had tens of thousands of people arriving here.”

Paral’s remarks align with the broader observation that Chicago’s recent gains are closely tied to migration flows. The article suggests that changes in federal immigration policy could shape the city’s demographic trajectory moving forward.

 

From Crain’s Chicago Business (To go to the actual article, please click on this link.)

 

Chicago sees 7th largest U.S. population gain, suburbs follow

Chicago recorded the seventh-largest population gain among U.S. cities from mid-2023 to mid-2024, adding over 22,000 residents, marking a second consecutive year of growth after previous declines. The increase is largely attributed to migrant arrivals, many via buses from Texas, as well as voluntary relocation.

While city officials celebrated the growth as a sign of Chicago’s resilience, Rob Paral, Senior Researcher at the Great Cities Institute, provided a cautious perspective. He emphasized that large cities like Chicago depend on immigration for population renewal, warning that federal restrictions on immigration could reverse gains and weaken urban economies by reducing workforce and consumer bases.

Paral also contextualized broader regional trends, noting declines in inner and middle suburbs, contrasted with rapid growth in far-flung suburbs like Plainfield, Hampshire, and Elburn—areas drawing residents with affordable housing, good schools, and lower taxes.

 

From Chicago Tribune (To go to the actual article, please click on this link.)

 

Youth Joblessness and Disconnection: Racial/Geographic Inequities, 2019–2023

Executive Summary:

This data brief examines persistent racial and geographic disparities in youth and young adult joblessness and disconnection from school and work across Chicago, suburban Cook County, Illinois, and the U.S. between 2019 and 2023. Using the most recent American Community Survey data, the analysis reveals stark inequities, particularly for Black and Latino youth in Chicago.

Key findings include:

    • Exceptionally High Joblessness: In 2023, over 78% of Black 16- to 19-year-olds in Chicago were jobless, compared to 74.2% of Latino and 73.8% of White youth—rates well above national and state averages.

    • Persistent Disconnection: Black youth in Chicago remain significantly more likely to be out of school and jobless than their peers. In 2023, 14.3% of Black 16- to 19-year-olds were disconnected—more than four times the rate for White youth.

    • Uneven Recovery for Young Adults: Jobless rates for Black 20- to 24-year-olds declined in 2022 but rose again in 2023 to 47.6%, while rates for White and Latino peers steadily fell, widening racial disparities.

    • Stark Spatial Inequities: Maps show jobless and disconnected youth are concentrated in South, West, and Southeast Side neighborhoods in Chicago, where rates often exceed 80% for teens.

    • Programmatic Impacts: Evidence from Chicago and other major cities confirms that summer youth employment programs can reduce violence, improve job readiness, and enhance long-term economic outcomes.

These findings underscore the need for sustained, targeted investments in employment and education opportunities, especially for marginalized youth in the hardest-hit communities.

 

Authors:

Matthew D. Wilson, Ph.D.
Associate Director of Economic & Workforce Development, UIC Great Cities Institute.

Jason “Jay” Campos
Research Associate, UIC Great Cities Institute.

 

 

Read and Download the Full Report Here.

 

Pope’s Childhood in a Changing Chicago Tells a Story of Catholic America

Before becoming Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost was the youngest of three boys growing up in the tight-knit Catholic community centered around St. Mary of the Assumption Parish on the far South Side of Chicago. In the 1950s and 1960s, Catholic life in the area was active and deeply rooted, with families like the Prevosts attending parish schools and participating in church life. Over time, however, the neighborhood changed as demographic shifts and economic decline led to the closure of schools, churches, and other Catholic institutions. The once-thriving parish eventually merged with others, and its building now stands empty and deteriorating.

This transformation reflects a broader story of Catholicism in urban America, where changing cityscapes and cultural shifts have reshaped longstanding communities. Rob Paral, a researcher at the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago, offered a significant perspective on the pope’s upbringing. He explained that although the Prevosts worshipped at a South Side church, they lived just beyond the city line in Dolton, a working-class suburb.

Paral described the area not by what it is, but by what it is not. It is not leafy or picturesque, but instead defined by highways, industry, and railroad tracks. He emphasized that Pope Leo comes from what he called the grit and the real Chicago, a part of the region more reflective of the southern suburbs than the wealthier north and west. According to Paral, this background situates the pope’s story in a setting marked by authenticity, struggle, and grounded roots in a community that has seen significant transformation.

Written by Ruth Graham, a national reporter based in Dallas who covers religion, faith, and values for The New York Times, and Julie Bosman, the Chicago bureau chief who reports on stories throughout the Midwest. Additional reporting was contributed by Mitch Smith and Robert Chiarito, with research support from Susan C. Beachy.

 

From New York Times (To go to the actual article, please click on this link.)

 

Real Time Chicago Lecture Series – NHP Foundation: Reinventing Affordable Housing One Community At A Time

 

We’re excited to invite you to the fourth session of the Spring 2025 Real Time Chicago Lecture Series, featuring a powerful conversation with leaders from the NHP Foundation and its subsidiary, Operation Pathways:

     • Veronica Gonzalez, Assistant Vice President, NHP Foundation

     • Eva Thibaudeau-Graczyk, Director of Supportive Housing, Operation Pathways

     • Carmen Correa, Resident Services Coordinator, Operation Pathways

This session will explore how NHP Foundation—a national nonprofit real estate corporation—is driving change by acquiring, preserving, redeveloping, and constructing affordable housing across 16 states and the District of Columbia. With a portfolio of over 8,000 affordable housing units located throughout Connecticut, D.C., Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, NHP is committed to ensuring housing remains accessible, stable, and service-enriched for families and individuals across the country.

At the heart of this mission is Operation Pathways, a CORES-certified resident services provider that brings an innovative, in-house approach to supportive services. Through four key program areas—Academic Achievement, Financial Stability, Healthier Living, and Aging in Place—Operation Pathways empowers residents to pursue personal goals while improving long-term quality of life. Their model emphasizes impactful, customized programming delivered by Resident Services Coordinators who assess and respond to the evolving needs of each community.

In this session, our speakers will share how their work is reinventing affordable housing one community at a time—not just as physical spaces, but as platforms for upward mobility, community wellness, and resident empowerment. They’ll offer insights on aligning housing development with social supports, building strong local partnerships, and applying data-informed strategies that center equity, dignity, and long-term sustainability.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear how NHP and Operation Pathways are blending bricks, mortar, and mission to reshape the future of housing.

 

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, April 30th, 2025

Time: 1 PM to 2 PM

Location: UIC Great Cities Institute (412 S Peoria St, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60607)

 

Please click here to RSVP. To download flyer, please click here.

 

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One Hundred Years of Route 66

 

Students from the University of New Mexico (UNM) Community and Regional Planning Capstone Studio visited the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) to host a discussion on the history, development, and community impacts of Historic Route 66—the U.S.’s first paved highway stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. Led by Professor Moises Gonzales, the studio shared their examination of Route 66’s legacy and presented a vision plan outlining strategies for preservation, revitalization, and future development along this iconic corridor.

 

Full Recorded Event Video

  1. Studio Mission
    The UNM Community and Regional Planning Capstone Studio explored the past, present, and future of Route 66, preparing a vision plan for New Mexico communities ahead of the centennial. Their research balances Route 66’s celebration with its more complex and challenging histories.
  2. The Highway that Shaped America by Jared Weaver
    Jared provided an overview of Route 66’s formation, evolution, and impact, tracing its role from connecting rural America, to facilitating Dust Bowl migration, to symbolizing freedom and American car culture, and finally to its decline with the rise of the interstate system.
  3. Land Uses Along Route 66 by Patrick Akukene
    Patrick analyzed historic and contemporary land uses influenced by Route 66, using GIS mapping to show how businesses, military installations, agricultural lands, and public spaces developed along the highway corridor across different states.
  4. Landmarks, Film/TV, and Tunes by Navida Johnson
    Navida discussed the cultural landscape created by Route 66, highlighting historic landmarks, songs, films, and television that shaped the highway’s identity as a symbol of freedom, nostalgia, and American creativity across the states it crosses.
  5. Racialized Spaces on the Mother Road by Michelle Perez
    Michelle examined how Route 66’s promise of mobility was shaped by racialized spaces, explaining how segregation, sundown towns, redlining, and tools like the Green Book were critical for Black travelers navigating a landscape marked by exclusion.
  6. Route 66 & Indigenous Lands by Maggie Ramirez
    Maggie explored how Route 66 crossed through indigenous territories, disrupting traditional lands and economies, and discussed the role of indigenous labor, trading posts, and cultural tourism in the highway’s history, emphasizing indigenous perspectives today.
  7. Public Lands, New Deal Projects, and the Interstate System by Nathaniel Wurster
    Nathaniel showed how public lands and New Deal infrastructure projects boosted Route 66’s popularity, while later interstate construction displaced many communities and changed patterns of travel, commerce, and development along the historic route.
  8. Route 66’s Environmental Footprint by Chantell Bustillos
    Chantell discussed Route 66’s environmental legacy, including abandoned infrastructure, suburban sprawl, habitat fragmentation, and pollution, and called for a vision of revitalization that integrates environmental stewardship alongside cultural preservation.
  9. Q&A Session
    The session concluded with a rich discussion on preservation strategies, community organizing, historical designations, and how local communities can leverage Route 66’s legacy to support sustainable revitalization and resist displacement pressures today.

 

Route 66 PowerPoint Presentation (Top: Pt. 1 & Bottom: Pt. 2)

 

Route 66 Posters (Top: Pt. 1 & Bottom: Pt. 2)

 

On our Instagram (@uicgreatcities), you will find highlights from “One Hundred Years of Route 66.” Please take a look and we welcome you to follow us!
instagrambutton.png Event Photos | Posters | Route 66 Discussion

 

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