CTA train wrap, community events, youth opportunities, and partner initiatives advancing health, sustainability, and engagement across the IMD.
From the CEO
Make this the moment you give back
Greetings Friends,
Chicago weather is always changing, and this year has been no exception. As spring brings longer days and warmer weather, it’s a good time to reconnect, give back, and continue building a stronger IMD community together. Over the past few months, the IMD Commission has been advancing community-focused initiatives, from parks to scholarships, internships, and Earth Month events. This issue highlights those efforts and shares updates on the work we and our partners have been doing.
First, an update on our new park in the IMD at 2023 W Ogden Ave. In March, we selected the general contractor, Bear Construction. Work is scheduled to begin on the park this spring, with an opening scheduled for later this calendar year. Keep an eye on our social channels and this newsletter for progress updates, traffic impacts, and more information as we get close to the grand opening of the first new park for the IMD in 80 years.
The next time you hear the familiar sound of a train going by, look up, you just might catch the “IMD Express” moving throughout the city! Last month, a CTA brown line train was wrapped with IMD branding and is now moving throughout the city delighting riders and onlookers with a bright and bold message that whether you want to live, play, work, or learn, you can find it — all in IMD. If you spot the train and post any photos or videos, please tag us @imdchicago.
We always look forward to March, Women’s History Month, and all the inspiring and uplifting stories that it brings as our partners share stories highlighting the women leaders who are driving positive change for their organizations. Highlighting their work is important because it recognizes the contributions, achievements, and impact of women who have shaped the IMD, our communities, industries, and society.
April 1 may be April Fools’ Day, but this year it meant something else — IMD Day at the Chicago Bulls! Two Chicago legends came together for the Bulls vs Pacers game at the United Center, where a portion of the proceeds went to support the IMD Foundation and the IMD community. Thank you to all who purchased tickets and who attended to show support for our new philanthropic endeavor and to our supportive partners at the United Center and the Chicago Bulls!
The IMD Commission is celebrating Earth Month with two initiatives to help keep the IMD community clean and green. First, we are hosting two electronics and battery recycling events at our office on April 14 and April 21. This is a great opportunity to put your old electronics to good use and keep them out of a landfill. Unusable electronics will be responsibly recycled, and usable devices will be refurbished and distributed to those in need. New this year is battery recycling, and we are also accepting single-use and rechargeable batteries. And on April 18, we are holding a street cleanup event to help keep the streets of the IMD community clean and safe.
This week, we took our first staff excursion of the year to UI Health. As one of the IMD’s four anchor hospitals, UI Health is a vital healthcare provider in Chicago, delivering comprehensive care while serving as a leading academic medical center that advances research and medical education. Its recent Magnet designation underscores excellence in nursing and patient care. It plays a critical role in expanding access to care and improving health outcomes for diverse communities across the region. Thank you to UI Health for hosting us! To learn more about UI Health and the great work they do, click here.
Enjoy reading the rest of this issue and hearing more about the work of the IMD Commission and our partners. I remain as inspired as ever to be a part of the IMD community and look forward to seeing all the great things your organizations accomplish this year. As always, please remember to shop local and support our partners doing great work in and around the IMD — including one (or more!) of the gala fundraisers below if you are able. Now more than ever every dollar counts. Happy Mother’s Day, Happy Memorial Day and I’ll see you around the IMD soon!
Sincerely,
Allyson Hansen
CEO and Executive Director
New in the IMD
CTA Train Wrap 🚆
Caption goes here...
All aboard the IMD Express! Starting in March, a CTA brown line train was wrapped with IMD branding and began rolling across Chicago.
"IMD Express" rolls through the Loop.
The train wrap shines a light on the incredible work happening across the IMD where people come to live, work, play, and learn. From innovation to community impact, there’s more happening than ever before, all in IMD.
Riders disembark from the innaugural ride of the "IMD Express" on the CTA Brown Line.
Catch us in transit and ride along — and if you spot it, tag us @imdchicago 🚆
Earth Month Events: Electronics and Battery Recycling, Street Cleanup 🌎
Happy Earth Month! We’re celebrating with two opportunities to keep the IMD and our planet clean and green.
Electronics and Battery Recycling ♻️
Do you have old technology or batteries to get rid of? Donate them to be refurbished and provided to low-income individuals and families in need!
We’ve partnered with PCs for People for two electronics and battery recycling events at our office in the month of April.
When
Tuesday, April 14 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21 from 4 – 6 p.m.
Where
Illinois Medical District Commission
2100 W Harrison St, Chicago IL 60612
Please drop items off inside the front lobby of our building not on the sidewalk
We Accept
Desktop or laptop computers
Phones
TVs and monitors (no CRTs)
Computer accessories like keyboards, mice, or speakers Printers
Hard drives and other computer parts
Power cords and cables
Servers and networking equipment
Rechargeable and single use batteries (New for 2026)
Items can be in any condition (new, used, broken).
We Do Not Accept
Household appliances (including microwaves, refrigerators, and vacuums)
Car batteries
CRT (tube) TVs and monitors
Copiers
Anything containing chemicals, fossil fuels, bio waste, oil, liquids, powders, asbestos, or freon
PCs for People is a nonprofit and national leader in IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) offering certified data destruction and recycling services that have benefited over 500,000 people, redistributed 267,000 refurbished devices, recycled over 9 million pounds of e-waste, and helped over 77,000 homes connect to the internet.
Recycled computers are refurbished and distributed back into the community to support equal access to technology for low-income families, their warehouses employee adults from diverse backgrounds and with disabilities, and if items are not reusable, they recycle every component.
To learn more about acceptable items, or to view a flyer you can share with your community, click here.
For any questions, please email Corey Stringer at [email protected].
Street Cleanup 🧹
Join us for a street cleanup in the IMD!
When
Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m.
Where
IMD Welcome Plaza
1900 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60612
Meet at W Harrison St and W Ogden Ave
We’ll be spending a couple hours on Saturday morning picking up trash from our streets. We’ll supply everything you need, just show up. Thank you for helping to keep the streets of the IMD community clean and safe!
For any questions, please contact Corey Stringer at [email protected].
IMD Gala and Fundraiser events roundup 🎟️
Spring is always a busy time if you’re looking for fun ways to support our partners doing great work in and around the IMD. Read on to learn more about galas, fundraisers, and more.
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center "Luminary Award Dinner"
Join ChicagoCAC during Child Abuse Prevention Month for their 11th Annual Luminary Award Dinner, celebrating and supporting ChicagoCAC’s work investigating abuse, advocating for children and families, educating the community about prevention, and restoring the lives of children impacted by sexual abuse and other trauma.
The Luminary Award Dinner hosts 400 Chicago area professionals, community leaders, and other friends of ChicagoCAC who come together to celebrate and support their mission and vision. This year, Alexi Giannoulias and John C. Robak will be honored for their exceptional leadership in igniting hope and healing and their unwavering commitment to the protection and well-being of Chicago’s children.
When
Wednesday, April 22 at 6 p.m.
Program, Dinner, Live & Silent Auctions, and Paddle Raise to follow
Join Thresholds for their Gala 26: Meet the Moment, an evening celebrating hope, healing, and the incredible power of community. This year, they’re shining a spotlight on their Crisis Response teams and the life-changing work they do every day — showing up when people need help most, offering compassion, connection to care, and a path toward recovery.
Come celebrate with us, hear powerful stories, and help raise critical funds to support services that bring home, health, and hope to our communities.
Guest House is celebrating their 27th anniversary, and to honor this milestone, they are hosting a special gala The House Always Wins 2026 — a night of laughter and entertainment that ensures medical patients, their families, and military veterans of any age, and any diagnoses, can access top-quality, life-saving medical treatment from Chicagoland hospitals, due to the temporary lodging that the Guest House provides!
The Guest House is a non-profit organization that provides temporary accommodation to medical patients, their family members, and military veterans in Chicago. They welcome patients of all ages and medical conditions, and no qualified guest is turned away for an inability to pay (there is no cost for military veterans).
Incredible heroes walk among us delivering kindness and making a difference every day. That’s why the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago is honoring individuals and groups for acts of immense bravery, dedication and service to the community at their 24th Annual Heroes Breakfast.
Surrounded by masterpieces, they’ll honor a legacy of groundbreaking, life-changing services that have built confidence and opened doors to independence for people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, and veterans. Together, they’ll look ahead to a bold future of progress and possibility for individuals in Chicago, across the nation, and around the globe. As a partner in this extraordinary celebration, you can stand among the lasting institutions that prove the “City That Works,” works for everyone, everywhere.
Join Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford at their 44rd Annual Golf Classic for a fun and sun-filled day when people come together to celebrate their impact and mission. For more than 80 years, Easterseals has been dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities, young learners, and their families through personalized and empathetic services and expertise.
Their mission — to embrace abilities and expand possibilities — has transformed thousands of lives each year. With your support, they can do even more. All proceeds benefit our education programs and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Urban Autism Solutions is hosting a beautiful evening of community, connection, and celebration at its 2026 Carrots & Cocktails event benefiting young adults with autism and related disabilities.
Experience live musical performances, handcrafted cocktails and culinary bites, enjoy a guided tour of the farm led by UAS students, shop at the on-site farm stand, or try your luck in a raffle — there’s something for everyone’s interest and appetite.
Snow City Arts will host hundreds of guests from Chicago’s philanthropic, medical, corporate, and artistic communities at its Gallery Night 2026. Enjoy cocktails, curated exhibitions, silent auctions, a three-course dinner, paddle raise, and so much more!
Proceeds from this event go to funding programs to inspire and educate children and youth in hospitals through the arts.
If you’re eager to get more involved with other IMD partners and professionals, join an IMD Community Council!
IMD Community Councils unite stakeholders to collaborate, plan events, 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, so read on to learn more — and if you see one you want to join, email the organizer to be added.
Arts, Culture, Events 🎨
About: This council enhances IMD’s identity through art, culture, and wellness, supporting public art, events, and recreation to foster engagement and celebrate diversity.
Organizer: Noe Symonanis, Director of Marketing and Communications, [email protected]
Development and Infrastructure 🚧
About: This council ensures development aligns with IMD’s Master Plan, promoting smart growth, sustainability, and accessibility for a thriving, innovative built environment.
Organizer: Chris Fahey, Director of Real Estate Operations, [email protected]
District Security Group 🚨
About: This group enhances IMD safety through information-sharing, emergency coordination, and technology, promoting a secure environment for all who work, learn, and heal.
About: The Education Council links IMD institutions to share best practices, expand career pathways, and promote workforce development in life sciences, healthcare, and beyond.
Organizer: Nicole Vahl, Health and Science Program Manager, [email protected]
Government Affairs and Advocacy 🏛️
About: This council tracks policy, advocates investment, and aligns IMD priorities with government initiatives to drive innovation, healthcare, and economic growth.
About: This council advances sustainability in IMD by expanding green space, improving transit, and promoting eco-friendly initiatives for a healthier, resilient future.
Organizer: Chris Fahey, Director of Real Estate Operations, [email protected]
