Our Events
City Council ADU Vote!
Show up for ADUs at Chicago City Council
Join us in person at Chicago City Hall to support the alderpersons who are pushing to get ADUs legalized citywide. We are also asking for members to sign up to give a verbal public comment.
General rules for giving public comment at committee meetings:
Try to arrive by 9:50 a.m. if you are planning to give a verbal comment.
If it is very busy or a lot of people are trying to give comment, they may do a random lottery for who gets to speak.
You'll need to go through metal detectors before going to the Chambers.
Don't bring a backpack, but tote bags and laptop cases are okay.
Note that food and beverage are officially prohibited but sometimes officers will let them in (typically water and coffee are fine).
See the Abundant Housing Illinois Eventbrite post for more information
Strong Towns Illinois (STILL) Statewide Gathering
Strong Towns Illinois (STILL) Gathering Agenda
Join the many Strong Towns Local Conversations in the state of Illinois for the first-ever state-wide gathering hosted in Chicago! Come meet folks doing the bottom-up work of Strong Towns, swap ideas, and share successes and challenges.
You do not need to currently be involved in a Local Conversation to attend. If you are interested in joining or starting one for your city/town, this is event is also for you!
9/26 Friday (Optional, Early Arrivals) - Industry Ales Brewpub @ 230 S Wabash Ave
8 pm Happy Hour (early arrivals)
9/27 Saturday (Main Event) - Workbox Chicago @ 125 S Clark St ste 1700
12–1 pm Welcome Lunch
1–5 pm Kickoff/Workshops/Closeout
9/27 Saturday (Optional, Social) - Details will be shared at Main Event
5–6:30 pm Loop/West Loop Walk
7–8:30 pm Dinner
9 pm+ Socials (karaoke, jazz, etc.)
9/28 Sunday (LC Leadership) - Atwood @ 1 W Washington St
11 am–12 pm LC Leads Brunch
Suggested nearby hotels for those saying on Friday and/or Saturday evening:
Minimal and Bang-for-the-buck (best for for lodging alone)
Central Loop Hotel 111 West Adams Street
The Midland Hotel Chicago 172 W Adams Street
Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago 100 West Monroe Street
Extended Stay (best for groups of 3+)
Hampton Inn Majestic Chicago Theatre District 22 West Monroe Street
Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Downtown/Loop 11 South LaSalle Street
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Central Loop 245 S Franklin St
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strong-towns-illinois-still-statewide-gathering-tickets-1608511032799
Meet Me On Milwaukee
Meet Me On Milwaukee is a pilot series of “pedestrianization” events between Alderman La Spata, the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce (WPBCC), and the Chicago Department of Transportation. For one Sunday in August, September, and October, Milwaukee Avenue between North/Damen and Ashland will be closed to car/bus traffic, replacing the usual traffic, honking, and vehicle emissions with pedestrians, bikes, live music, outdoor dining*, exercise classes, sidewalk sales, and more!
See more detail on Alderman La Spata’s website.
Interested in volunteering? La Spata’s office needs help with set-up, take-down, welcoming attendees at entrances, etc. Volunteers are needed from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and volunteers can sign up in 3-hour shifts. Their volunteer form is here.
September Book Club
Meet up with us at Bourgeois Pig Cafe in Lincoln Park on Tuesday, September 30 at 7 PM as we discuss Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson for this month's book club.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/september-book-club-strong-towns-chicago-tickets-1617858932619
October Monthly Meeting
Strong Towns Chicago Monthly Meeting | October
Join us for our monthly meeting on October 1st at 6:30 at the Near North Branch Library. This event is free and open to all ages! Newcomers VERY welcome.
This is a great opportunity to learn about our current initiatives and get involved.
After the meeting, we'll head to Declan's for a post-meeting social. Note: Declan's is 21+.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/october-monthly-meeting-strong-towns-chicago-tickets-1641262082069
Logan Square Redesign Tour | Strong Towns Chicago & GWCN Chicago
Logan Square Redesign Tour
Come tour the progress of the Logan Square redesign and the new pedestrian spaces with Strong Towns Chicago and GWCN Chicago on Saturday, October 4th. There will be two tours at 1:00 and 1:30 PM. Please select a time slot when you register.
We'll meet in front of the Comfort Station, the small building in the center of the square.
Stick around afterwards for a post-event social in the square!
Learn about the recent changes to the square and share your ideas about making more of our public spaces car-free!
September Book Club Overflow Session
Overflow Session: Discuss Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson at Strong Towns Chicago's September book club!
OVERFLOW SESSION: Due to high demand, we are opening up a second book club session! Meet up with us at Kapej Coffee in Old Town on Sunday, October 5 at 11 AM as we discuss Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson for this month's book club.
Café y Conversación de Casitas
¿Quiere más opciones de vivienda en su comunidad? ¿Tiene curiosidad por el futuro de nuestro transporte público? Venga a un taller organizado por Abundant Housing Illinois y Strong Towns Chicago. Disfrute de un café gratis mientras hablamos de los ADUs (Unidades de Vivienda Accesoria), los four flats (edificios de cuatro apartamentos) y el transit fiscal cliff (abismo fiscal del transporte público). Es una oportunidad para aprender y conocer a sus vecinos.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cafe-y-conversacion-de-casitas-tickets-1689797272129
Bronzeville Pop-Up at Overton
Community Days at Overton!
Join Strong Towns Chicago, Creative Grounds, Borderless Studio, and neighbors for a fun Community Day at Overton! The former Anthony Overton Elementary public school plaza will have multiple collaborative projects and creative activities for all ages. Free and open to everyone!
Besides checking out the Community Day, you can sign up to volunteer with Strong Towns Chicago's table at the plaza! We'll be tabling, talking to people about who we are and what we do. No experience necessary. Snacks and water provided. Choose your tabling shift at check out and we'll be in contact!
PARK(ing) Day 2025: A Celebration of Community and Urban Transformation
Join us for PARK(ing) Day 2025, a citywide festival where we reclaim parking spaces and convert them into temporary public parks for a day! This event aims to spark conversations about our urban landscape and showcase the potential for a more livable, human-focused Chicago. Our goal is to connect, educate, and empower you to advocate for people-oriented city design.
This year, the festivities are hosted at the parking lots of two premier local breweries, Demo Brewing Company and Dovetail Brewery, which are just a 4-minute walk from each other.
PARK(ing) Day is free for everyone to attend. If you'd like to help us put on more events like this, there will be an opportunity to donate at the entrance.
See the event page or the Eventbrite link for more detail on the event.
Public Data Workshop
Strong Towns Chicago Public Data Workshop
Join Strong Towns Chicago for a crash course on public data--what is it, how to access it, and what you can do with it!
We’ll walk through a real-world example and workshop ways that YOU can write a FOIA to hold your lawmakers accountable (and satiate your curiosity).
This event will take place on Wednesday, September 17th from 6-7 pm at the Near North Branch of the Chicago Library. Hope to see you there!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/public-data-workshop-strong-towns-chicago-tickets-1626393640159
Bridgeport Walking Tour
Bridgeport Walking Tour | Strong Towns Chicago
Join Strong Towns Chicago on Saturday, September 13th from 3 - 4:30 p.m. for a free neighborhood walking tour of Bridgeport! The tour will start at Park 571 (2754 S Eleanor St.) and will be led by a Strong Towns Chicago volunteer who lives in the neighborhood.
Walk Details:
--Meeting Location and Time: September 13th, 3 PM, at Park 571 (2754 S Eleanor St.)
--Walk Distance and Time: The walk is anticipated to last a little more than an hour with several stops along the way. We'll end at Palmisano park, which is near the Halsted Orange line stop.
--Post-Walk Social: Please join us after the walk around 4:30 PM for a post-walk picnic in Palmisano Park.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bridgeport-walking-tour-strong-towns-chicago-tickets-1657832855699
Save Metra Canvassing | Wheaton Farmers Market
It's critical that suburban residents contact their legislators urging them to pass funding for public transit – and we need your help to inform them and provide them materials to do just that!
We'll meet at Ogilvie Transportation Center (OTC) to take the 8:40am UP-W Metra train together and return on the 12:54pm train.
We will be partnering with Better Streets Chicago for this event!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/save-metra-canvassing-wheaton-farmers-market-tickets-1613143237849
Strong Towns Public Meetup | September
Strong Towns Chicago Monthly Meeting | September
Join us for our monthly meeting on September 3rd at 6:30 at the Near North Branch Library. This event is free and open to all ages! Newcomers VERY welcome.
This is a great opportunity to learn about our current initiatives and get involved.
After the meeting, we'll head to Declan's for a post-meeting social. Note: Declan's is 21+.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/september-monthly-meeting-strong-towns-chicago-tickets-1560324575809
Bronzeville Pop-Up at Overton
Community Days at Overton!
Join Strong Towns Chicago, Creative Grounds, Borderles Studio, and neighbors for a fun Community Day at Overton! The former Anthony Overton Elementary public school plaza will have multiple collaborative projects and creative activities for all ages. Free and open to everyone!
Besides checking out the Community Day, you can sign up to volunteer with Strong Towns Chicago's table at the plaza! We'll be tabling, talking to people about who we are and what we do. No experience necessary. Snacks and water provided. Choose your tabling shift at check out and we'll be in contact!
Pilsen Walking Tour
Join Strong Towns Chicago for a neighborhood walking tour of Pilsen led by Luis Tubens with Pilsen Public Art Tours. This walk will focus on the murals of Pilsen and the culture of the historically hispanic neighborhood.
There are two tours available. The routes and content are the same between both tours. Please only register for one tour as capacity is limited.
Walk Details:
--Meeting Location: August 30, outside the National Museum of Mexican Art
--Tour Times: 10:30 AM or 12 Noon
--Walk Distance and Time: Each walking tour is anticipated to last 90 minutes and will end at the National Museum of Mexican Art.
--Post-Walk Social: TBD
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pilsen-walking-tour-strong-towns-chicago-tickets-1501472497659
Save Metra Canvassing | Downers Grove Farmers Market
Join us at the Downer's Grove Farmer's Market to reach suburban transit riders about the transit funding crisis!
It's critical that suburban residents contact their legislators urging them to pass funding for public transit – and we need your help to inform them and provide them materials to do just that!
We'll meet at Chicago Union Station to take the 8:33am BNSF Metra train together and return on the 12:16pm train.
We will be partnering with Better Streets Chicago for this event!
August Plan Jam | Strong Towns Chicago
Join Strong Towns Chicago leads to help plan events and brainstorm future initiatives. A great way to meet fellow urban enthusiasts! No technical expertise necessary.
The Plan Jam will take place at 125 S Clark St ste 1700. Security should be able to help folks up to the co-working space.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/august-plan-jam-strong-towns-chicago-tickets-1559528534829
Housing-a-thon
Join Strong Towns Chicago, Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), Abundant Housing Illinois (AHIL), and the Parking Reform Network for an evening of energizing, small-group discussions rotating around a variety of housing topics!
Look forward to learning more about the current state of incremental housing (think duplexes, granny flats, etc.), counterproductive building codes, and parking reform at the city and state-levels. We will brainstorm together on effective ways to advocate for more housing to address the dire housing shortage.
We'll focus on building knowledge, smart legislative policies, and concrete advocacy actions. No prior experience or background required!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/housing-a-thon-tickets-1545771667669
Ranch Triangle Walking Tour
Ranch Triangle Walking Tour | Strong Towns Chicago
Join Strong Towns Chicago on Sunday, August 10 from 1 - 2:30 p.m. for a free neighborhood walking tour of the Ranch Triangle area of Lincoln Park! The tour will start and end at the Armitage Brown Line station (940 W Armitage) and will be led by two Strong Towns Chicago volunteers who live in the neighborhood.
This walk will touch on the two different sections of the neighborhood, including the vibrant Armitage retail corridor as well as the former manufacturing sites that dot the southeast corner of the former Lincoln Yards.
Walk Details:
--Meeting Location and Time: Aug 10th, 1 PM, at the Armitage Brown Line station.
--Walk Distance and Time: The walk is anticipated to last a little more than an hour with several stops along the way. We'll end at at the Armitage Brown Line station as well.
--Post-Walk Social: Please join us after the walk around 2:30 PM for socializing and drinks at Kincade's!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ranch-triangle-walking-tour-strong-towns-chicago-tickets-1500946664879
Strong Towns Public Meetup | August
Strong Towns Chicago Monthly Meeting | August
Join us for our monthly meeting on August 6th at 6:30 at the Near North Branch Library. This event is free and open to all ages! Newcomers VERY welcome.
This is a great opportunity to learn about our current initiatives and get involved.
After the meeting, we'll head to Declan's for a post-meeting social. Note: Declan's is 21+.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strong-towns-public-meetup-august-tickets-1544791746699
Strong Towns Chicago Happy Hour
Join us for a happy hour on Wednesday, 7/23 at Weather Mark Tavern in South Loop starting at 6 PM!
We will be celebrating the recent parking reform win that passed through the Chicago City Council!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strong-towns-chicago-happy-hour-tickets-1508098255479
Ravenswood Walking Tour
Ravenswood Walking Tour | Strong Towns Chicago
Join Strong Towns Chicago for a free neighborhood walking tour of Ravenswood in partnership with two neighborhood organizations, the Heart of Lincoln Square and the Greater Rockwell Organization.This walk will cover the history of Ravenswood as well as current work by the Heart of Lincoln Square and the Greater Rockwell Organization to make their places safer, stronger, and more prosperous.Walk Details:--Meeting Location and Time: July 10th, 6 PM, at the Western Brown Line station.
--Walk Distance and Time: The walk is anticipated to last a little more than an hour with several stops along the way. We'll end at the Dank Haus.
--Post-Walk Social: Please join us after the walk for a free neighborhood night at the DANK Haus—a cozy, casual evening to unwind and soak in the charm of this historic space.
Bronzeville Walking Tour & Documentary Screening
Join Strong Towns Chicago for a neighborhood walking tour of Bronzeville in partnership with Borderless Studio.
This walk will cover the history and culture of Bronzeville, including how the closure of Overton Elementary impacted the neighborhood and how local leaders are looking to revitalize the building for the community.
Walk Details:
--Meeting Location and Time: June 27th, 6 PM, at the Arts Lawn (337 E Garfield Blvd, near the Garfield Green Line stop).
--Walk Distance and Time: The walk is anticipated to last a little more than an hour with several stops along the way. We'll end at Overton Elementary School.
--Post-Walk Documentary Screening: Please join us after the walk for a free outdoor screening of Beyond Closure Film (2024, 55-min) at Overton Exchange POP (Public Outdoor Plaza), and conversation to learn more about the story of Creative Grounds–an initiative led by Borderleess Studio to explore the community and future role of school grounds after the largest Public Schools Closure in Chicago's history. Register on the Eventbrite for the film screening here.
Chicago Mobility Collaborative
Strong Towns will be tabling at the Chicago Mobility Collective from 5-6pm. A panel and community tables will follow from 6-8.
Location: DePaul Center - Concourse Level
Address: 1 E. Jackson Blvd.
More Details Here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdot/supp_info/chicago-mobility-collaborative.html
Registration Link Here: https://cloud.citynews.chicago.gov/2025CMC_March_RegistrationForm
Op Ed Writers Workshop
This is an op-ed workshop session led by STC leads Neil Stein and Ronan O'Callaghan, as well as Chicago Growth Project founder Adam Drakulic.
The Chicago Growth Project is a Political Action Committee dedicated to electing leaders who will enact structural reform and pro-growth policies to set Chicago on the right path. We believe the best way through our city's issues is through building more housing, better transit, stronger businesses, and safer communities.
Strong Towns Chicago is an organization that empowers neighborhoods to incrementally build a more financially resilient city from the bottom up, through abundant housing, safe streets, and effective transportation.
One Year Of Strong Towns | Anniversary Party
It was about a year ago that we hosted our welcome back happy hour event with Chuck Marohn!
In the time since, Strong Towns Chicago has grown massively. We have hosted dozens of events, including neighborhood walking tours, a housing panel, and workshops. Our members have rallied to attend city council meetings, published articles in newspapers, and changed their neighborhoods for the better. We couldn't be more proud.
Whether you've been volunteering for months or just now heard about us, join us in a celebration of the milestones we've achieved together!
We’ll share some highlights of the past year and big plans for the future.
Appetizers will be provided and additional food will be available to purchase. Attendees will be covering their own drinks. Heads up, a 20% gratuity will already be added for large parties, so keep this in mind while tipping.
See you there!