Greetings Friends,
As we enter the season of thanks, we have a lot to celebrate in the IMD this fall. We have inclusive fitness events, new parks, new team members, and new projects to look forward to that will enhance the IMD and make it an even better place to live, work, play, and learn for years to come. Hundreds of people will race through the IMD next Sunday for Rise to Shine, the new park at 2023 W Ogden is close to breaking ground, new staff are infusing the IMD Commission with fresh ideas and energy, and our team is working hard to improve our streets and make the IMD a safer, healthier community.
In 2022, The Morton Arboretum Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) partnered with the IMD to plant 30 trees during a community event. On July 30, they returned to the IMD for a re-mulching workday to care for those young trees. Mulch helps improve soil quality and supported their long-term survival. Throughout the day, CRTI also shared the benefits of trees and taught tree identification. Thanks to everyone who joined us!
Last year, we were excited to launch an urban beekeeping initiative in the IMD in partnership with UI Health. On September 17, Alvéole held a workshop in the IMD where participants opened and inspected a live hive, learned about beekeeping tools and hive members, and experienced sights, sounds, and tastes from the hive for a memorable introduction to beekeeping. You can follow our IMD bees on their MyHive page to learn more and see regular updates of their buzzworthy work!
Just this month on October 5, the Illinois Medical District Commission (IMDC) was honored to be named one of Chicago’s Best Workplaces by the Chicago Sun-Times. I know I speak for all of us at the IMDC when I say that working alongside our amazing partners — hospitals, universities, nonprofits, schools, small businesses and community members — is truly inspiring, uplifting, and makes coming into work every day feel like a joy. At the IMDC, our job is to shine a light on the amazing work being done in the IMD by all of you, and to ensure the IMD continues to grow for future generations, so we couldn’t be more thankful for this recognition that we too are a great place to work. Congratulations to all our fellow honorees! To view the full list, click here.
This Sunday October 12 is the Chicago Marathon, one of the biggest running events in the world, and I am honored to be running with Team Guest House! Guest House is a nonprofit in the IMD that builds community and healing by providing comfortable, affordable accommodation for patients and their families throughout their treatment. Guest House offers comfortable, affordable lodging for patients and families traveling to Chicago for medical treatment, as well as for military veterans receiving care through the Road Home Program at Rush. As the only organization in the area serving patients of any age and treatment type, it provides 47 fully furnished apartments with home-like amenities and a supportive community that helps ease the isolation of medical crises — with no family turned away for financial reasons. To learn more about their great work, click here.
But don’t put your running shoes away just yet, there’s one more race to run — and this one is close to home! A week later on Sunday October 19 is the fourth annual Chicago Lighthouse Rise to Shine Run & Walk in the IMD. When you run or walk at Rise to Shine, you are not only helping Chicago Lighthouse — an internationally recognized nonprofit focused on helping those people living with a sight disability celebrating its 120th anniversary — you’re also supporting the only race in Chicago that prioritizes accessibility for all regardless of ability. There’s also a Fitness Fest, a kid’s race, and breakfast tacos. Please come out and support this amazing event and bring your families because all ages are welcome! To learn more, click here.
Carol Jones officially started working as the IMD Commission’s new Chief Financial Officer last month. Carol brings a strong background in financial leadership, most recently serving as CFO at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), where she oversaw budgets, strategic planning, and financial operations. Her experience spans over 20 years in both the nonprofit and public sectors, with a focus on transparency, collaboration, and mission-driven stewardship. If you’d like to reach out to Carol, feel free to email her at [email protected].
There is a lot to applaud and feel good about, so let me be the first to wish you all Happy Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month! 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 through the end of the year. As always, please remember to shop local and support our partners doing great work in and around the IMD — and I hope to enjoy some IMD honey or some local produce with you soon!
Sincerely,
Allyson Hansen
CEO and Executive Director
It’s only 10 days until the 2025 Chicago Lighthouse Rise to Shine Run & Walk, an annual race in the IMD event that 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.
When
Sunday, October 19 at 7:30 a.m.
Where
Illinois Medical District
1310 S Wood St, Chicago, IL 60608
Sign up as an individual, bring your extended family or create a team of friends, and join us in the only 10K/5K/1M event that prioritizes accessibility for all. When you Rise to Shine, you are committing to making our world a more inclusive, accessible and empathetic place.
Proceeds support The Chicago Lighthouse and its programs that help people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled and Veterans build confidence to learn, work and live independently within our community.
To learn more or register, click here.
The Illinois Medical District Commission (IMDC) organizes several Community Councils that are open to members of the IMD community.
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.
In this issue, we are highlighting the work of our Arts, Culture, Events council. This council enhances IMD’s identity through art, culture, and wellness, supporting public art, events, and recreation to foster engagement, celebrate diversity, and create a welcoming community. Here’s just some of what they work on:
Council members work together to plan entertaining public events in the IMD, like our first IMD Arts Festival in 2024 and IMD Arts Fair in 2023. Work can include recruiting artists and entertainers, planning activities, event logistics, or just showing up and representing your organization at the event.
We are always looking for ways like we did in 2022 when we partnered with local graffiti artists to beautify a blighted building with an original art installation celebrating Chicago. Members also share information about local arts initiatives in and around the IMD, arts programs at their institutions, and local artists are also welcome to join the council alongside IMD organizations and workers.
With so much happening in and around the IMD and Chicago throughout the year, this council is the best way to stay current with all the great arts and culture events taking place. Members regularly share information about upcoming events — including many where other IMD organizations and community members can also participate!
IMD Community Councils hold regular get-togethers including All Council Meetups that are planned and organized through this council.
If you would like to join the Arts, Culture, Events council, or learn more about their events, contact Noe Symonanis, Director of Marketing and Communications, at [email protected].
Planning continues for a new park in the IMD at 2023 W Ogden Ave, directly across from the Gateway retail center, Cook County Health, and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.
After months of community engagement — listening to our stakeholders and community members about what they want to see in our future park — the ceremonial groundbreaking is now set for next month.
We also have new renderings that better show how the park will be organized and its location in relation to its neighbors, including the previously announced location for a new monument honoring COVID-19 frontline essential workers.
Keep an eye out for any future updates and opportunities for community engagement as the park begins to take shape over the coming months and years. For any questions, contact Chris Fahey, Director of Real Estate Operations, at [email protected].
We’re also making progress on our Harrison Street Enhancement Project. In 2024, we received an Invest In Cook grant to study ways to make that street safer for bikers and pedestrians. This project was identified as one of the transformative projects in our Bike and Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (BPSAP) for the IMD.
The scope of work includes site analysis, concept design, detailed engineering, cost estimation and phasing, final design, community engagement, project management, flooding investigation, and sustainability considerations.
Areas under review include sidewalks and pedestrian space, crosswalks and curb bump-outs, ADA-accessible ramps, bike lanes and parking, street lighting and signage, landscaping and street trees, pavement and surface materials, traffic signals and timing, and crash and traffic data.
The project is currently in the design phase and is scheduled to be completed by spring 2026. If you have any questions regarding this project or other bike and pedestrian safety issues, contact Nicole Vahl, Health and Science Program Manager, at [email protected].
Great things are happening in the IMD, so read on to hear about news from our IMD partners, from new initiatives to fundraisers, events, and more.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) awarded a four-star rating to CountyCare, Cook County Health’s Medicaid managed care plan, making it the highest-ranked Medicaid plan in Illinois and among the top 22% of plans nationwide. CountyCare earned five stars for member satisfaction and four stars for overall care, as well as for child and adolescent well-being measures such as vaccinations and BMI assessments.
Cook County leaders credited the recognition to CountyCare’s evidence-based, patient-centered approach. With a network of 70 hospitals, 150 urgent and immediate care sites, and over 32,000 providers, CountyCare offers benefits like free LASIK and cash rewards for preventive care. Officials emphasized that its provider-led model and focus on quality improvement, care coordination, and community engagement have made it a trusted, high-performing health partner for nearly 400,000 members across Cook County.
Congratulations to Cook County Health for being recognized for its continued commitment to excellent patient care!
During “Simulation Week,” students at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) experienced state-of-the-art health care training through hands-on simulations that mirror real-world medical scenarios. At the college’s state-of-the-art M. Christine Schwartz Experiential Learning & Simulation Laboratory, students use high-fidelity manikins like “MamaAnne,” which can simulate childbirth and medical complications, students practiced delivering babies, responding to emergencies, and making clinical decisions in a controlled learning environment.
The event highlighted UIC’s investment in advanced medical technology and interdisciplinary education. Through the use of simulation labs and actor-patients, students in medicine, nursing, and related fields strengthened teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills, helping to prepare them for the complexities of modern patient care.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the threats targeting our digital information have never been higher. That’s why the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released an updated toolkit with resources, tips, and information for both businesses and government organizations.
This year’s theme, “Building a Cyber Strong America,” underscores the importance of everyone playing a role in protecting our critical infrastructure. Please take time to review the materials and share them within your networks.
The following four practices are foundational and should be as automatic as buckling a seatbelt:
Business and government organizations that own, operate, or support critical infrastructure should take core actions to help secure the systems and services that make America a great place to live and do business.
To view the Cybersecurity Toolkit or learn more, click here.
Chicago Center for Arts & Technology (CHICAT) is excited to celebrate emerging Latino artists in honor Latino Heritage Month.
Join them for an exhibit and reception where you can meet the artists — artwork will also be available for purchase!
When
Thursday, October 9 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where
CHICAT
1701 W 13th St, Chicago, IL 60608
To learn more or RSVP, click here.
Each year in the fall, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) hosts Community Conversations throughout the city. These conversations are an opportunity for Chicagoans to participate in the creation of their district’s strategic plan for the following calendar year, and you have two opportunities to participate.
Conversation 1 of 2
When
Thursday, October 9 at 6 p.m.
Where
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
211 S Laflin St, Chicago, IL 60607
Conversation 2 of 2
When
Thursday, October 30 at 6 p.m.
Where
Holy Trinity Polish Catholic Church
1118 N Noble St, Chicago, IL 60642
The valuable feedback provided by participants at these conversations is used to develop community-driven crime reduction strategies, as well as community engagement priorities, and is an integral part of the Chicago Police Department’s implementation of the various reforms outlined in the consent decree.
To learn more about how to attend, click here.
There’s still a few more weeks to get your vegetables and help a great cause! Growing Solutions Farm is a 1.2-acre urban farm in the operated by Urban Autism Solutions in the IMD that provides hands-on job training for Chicago public high school transition students (ages 16-22) with autism and related disabilities.
When
Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Fridays from 2 – 6 p.m.
Now through October 31
Where
Growing Solutions Farm
2200 W Campbell Park Dr, Chicago, IL 60612
Students learn to harvest food, follow food safety and sanitation guidelines, build raised beds, prepare soil, and maintain compost piles. They also gain transferable job skills by following directions, communicating with coworkers and supervisors, and managing tasks from start to finish. About 50 West Side students train at the farm during the school year. In the summer, 20-25 students work through the One Summer Chicago jobs program, earning wages paid by the City of Chicago.
The farm’s produce is sold at weekly on-site and community farm stands, as well as to restaurants and wholesalers. It also offers an eight-box CSA subscription, with all proceeds directly supporting vocational training programs.
To learn more or visit, click here.
Join the American Diabetes Association (ADA) at State of Diabetes, a no-cost event featuring a panel discussion on how managing obesity can help prevent and event put type 2 diabetes in remission.
When
Thursday, November 13 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where
Malcolm X College
1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612
Explore new treatments, lifestyle changes, and ways to make obesity care more accessible-helping individuals, families, and employers support healthier lives and reduce overall medical costs.
To learn more or register, click here.