Chicago, IL

LEADERSHIP
Interim Co-Executive Directors:
Barbara Beck
Joel Bookman

Chair, Local Advisory Committee:
Lori Healy,
The John Buck Co.
CONTACT INFORMATION
135 S. LaSalle Street, #2230
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Telephone: (312) 422-9550
Fax: (312) 422-0802
Website

Established in 1979

Achievements by the Numbers:

(By LISC and Affiliates since inception)
  • 28,974 homes and apartments
  • 4 million square feet of commercial space
  • $697.8 million total investment
  • $3.6 billion leveraged

Profile:

LISC Chicago’s signature program, The New Communities Program (NCP), is a long-term, intensive initiative to support the comprehensive development of 20 Chicago neighborhoods. The program seeks to rejuvenate challenged communities, bolster those in danger of losing ground, and preserve the diversity of areas in the path of gentrification. With 12 sites citywide, Chicago is home to LISC’s largest network of Financial Opportunity Centers which offers job placement and career advancement services, one-on-one financial coaching, and improved access to public benefits – all aimed at helping families move toward financial stability. LISC improves education through Elev8 which provides middle schools in five NCP neighborhoods with extended-day academic programs, on-site health care clinics, and family income and asset building services.

In health, Neighborhood Sports Chicago (NSC) helps neighborhood-based organizations engage youth in sports and broader community building activities; while, LISC/Chicago and local partners have established farmers markets and urban agriculture to increase healthy food options. LISC/Chicago’s Elev8 opened health clinics which serve not only the needs of the students, but also those of the surrounding community with health screenings, physicals, mental health care, and health education. In order to stimulate economic activity, LISC MetroEdge supplies vital tools to local communities for stimulating their markets and fills the information gap for retail users.