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Making it in Chicago

Digital promo for Making it In Chicago with an illustration of barriers along a path with a destination labeled economic security
  • National Public Housing Museum, 919 S. Ada Street, Chicago, IL 60607

  • Free

Join us for an evening with the Illinois Answers Project and the National Public Housing Museum exploring barriers to economic opportunity in Illinois and Chicago.

The Illinois Answers Project’s recently published reporting on economic mobility stemmed from countless community conversations. At the center of this event are related storytelling sessions featuring:

  • Alex Nitkin (Illinois Answers Investigative reporter) in conversation with Marisa Novara, Vice President of Community Impact at The Chicago Community Trust
  • Meredith Newman (Illinois Answers State Investigative reporter) in conversation with Kimberly Bianchini, owner at Advance Preschool
  • Jim Daley (South Side Weekly Investigations Editor) in conversation with Bryan Ramson, physicist, block club captain and police district councilor
  • Claire Murphy (Illinois Answers fellow) in conversation with Kristen Faust, Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority about their SmartBuy program

Plus, enjoy a gallery talk with Making it in Chicago photographer Akilah Townsend and illustrator Cori Lin, open museum hours at the National Public Housing Museum, and drinks and bites with fellow community members.

This event is full, but Illinois Answers has set up a waitlist in case additional spots become available.


Event documentation


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