The Impact of Your Participation
Whether you work or live in the IMD, an active engaged community helps strengthen the connections between our partners and surrounding neighborhoods, identifying areas of need to generate ideas that benefit all of us — ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and valued.
When you choose to get involved, you can help shape the future of the IMD, help boost local businesses, enhance public services, promote arts and culture, and help make our community more sustainable.
Opportunities for Engagement
Discover the many opportunities to contribute to the IMD community. These initiatives are organized by two primary groups: those led directly by the IMD Commission and those coordinated by our valued community partners. From advisory councils and sustainability projects to inclusive events and urban farming, there’s a meaningful way for everyone to participate in strengthening our district.
Organized by the IMD Commission
Community Councils
IMD Community Councils unite stakeholders to collaborate, share ideas, and address key issues, fostering connections and proactive solutions to strengthen IMD’s identity and create a thriving, connected district. Councils meet regularly throughout the year.
To join a council or learn more, email [email protected].
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board unites chief executives and senior leaders from major IMD institutions to solve challenges, share ideas, and enhance efficiency, ensuring stakeholder voices help shape a more connected and resilient IMD.
Arts, Culture, Identity
This council enhances IMD’s identity through art, culture, and wellness, supporting public art, events, and recreation to foster engagement and celebrate diversity.
Development and Infrastructure
This council ensures development aligns with IMD’s Master Plan, promoting smart growth, sustainability, and accessibility for a thriving, innovative built environment.
District Security Group
This group enhances IMD safety through information-sharing, emergency coordination, and technology, promoting a secure environment for all who work, learn, and heal.
Education Council
The Education Council links IMD institutions to share best practices, expand career pathways, and promote workforce development in life sciences, healthcare, and beyond.
Government Affairs and Advocacy
This council tracks policy, advocates investment, and aligns IMD priorities with government initiatives to drive innovation, healthcare, and economic growth.
Sustainability Council
This council advances sustainability in IMD by expanding green space, improving transit, and promoting eco-friendly initiatives for a healthier, resilient future.
Bike and Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
The IMD’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (BPSAP) identifies infrastructure needs, incorporates community input, sets performance metrics, and proposes strategies to enhance safety, accessibility, and transit conditions, whether you walk, bike, or roll.
Project Sidewalk
Project Sidewalk is a free, online crowdsourcing tool that allows users to label sidewalk infrastructure and identify accessibility barriers by virtually moving through city streets. The IMD Commission is encouraging volunteers to join us to help map sidewalks and bikeways in the IMD and surrounding communities.
Run and Walk Group
The IMD Walk and Run Group organizes meet-ups of runners and walkers and helps to plan future inclusive fitness events.
Urban Beekeeping
A joing imitative between the IMD Commission and UI Health, we launched an urban beekeeping program and operate a hive in the IMD. Urban beekeeping supports biodiversity, pollinates plants, and improves local ecosystems. Our first harvest was in Fall 2024.
Follow the hive: https://myhive.alveole.buzz/illinois-medical-district
Street Clean Ups
The IMD hosts annual street cleanup events where volunteers work to keep the streets of the IMD safe and free of trash and debris. Follow our social channels or check out the events calendar to learn more about upcoming cleanups.
Electronics Recycling
The IMD Commission has partnered with PCs for People to hold electronics recycling events. PCs for People is a nonprofit that responsibly recycles or disposes of electronic devices, keeping them out of landfills. Any hardware that can be saved is refurbished to provide affordable technology to low-income individuals and organizations. Follow our social channels or check out the events calendar to learn more about upcoming electronics recycling events.
Organized by our Partners
The Chicago Lighthouse
Rise to Shine 10K/5K/1M Inclusive Run and Walk
The Rise to Shine Run and Walk is held annually in October in the IMD and is Chicago’s only race that prioritizes accessibility. Rise to Shine envisions a world without barriers to our physical and digital spaces, where everyone, regardless of ability – can be and feel fully included in their community. The event is hosted by The Chicago Lighthouse, whose programs and services help people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled and Veterans build confidence and independence. Individual and team registrations are available, and it includes a kid’s race and free Fitness Fest For All.
Urban Autism Solutions
Growing Solutions Farm
Growing Solutions Farm is a 1.2-acre farm in the IMD operated annually by Urban Autism Solutions. It provides hands-on job training for students ages 16-22 with autism and related disabilities. Students learn how to harvest food and gain valuable job and communication skills. The farm’s produce is sold weekly on-site and at community farm stands. It also offers a subscription package with all proceeds benefiting their vocational training programs.
