chicago’s challenges and opportunties
CHICAGO’S SCIENTIFIC FUTURE
Chicago is emerging as one of the most important scientific and innovation hubs in the world.
From quantum computing and advanced manufacturing to life sciences and medical research, the city’s scientific ecosystem is advancing at a pace that will reshape every sector of life. Education, workforce development, healthcare, transportation, and even how we govern ourselves will look radically different in the next decade.
This transformation carries both promise and risk. On one hand, the economic engine fueled by these advancements is poised to create extraordinary opportunities, attracting investment and jobs that can drive growth for generations. On the other, without intentional action, the benefits could remain concentrated in only a few sectors or neighborhoods.
At A More Just Chicago, we believe every community should understand and prepare for these changes. The science and technology revolution must not be something that happens to Chicago’s neighborhoods, but something that happens with them. Our task is to ensure the opportunities created by this ecosystem flow as broadly as possible—so that every neighborhood, every family, and every young person can share in Chicago’s future prosperity.
WE ADVOCATE FOR GROWTH
Growth can be unsettling.
It changes neighborhoods, stretches services, and raises questions about identity and belonging.
Yet for Chicago, growth is not optional—it is essential. To stabilize our tax base, sustain city services, and address long-standing inequities, we must welcome hundreds of thousands—if not a million—new residents in the coming decades.
This growth offers a chance to reimagine Chicago as a city that is more diverse, less segregated, more equitable, and ultimately safer. It also positions us as a vital destination for climate migration. As rising seas, extreme heat, and water scarcity reshape the map of livable places, Chicago—with its fresh water, infrastructure, and global connectivity—will become an anchor for resilience not only for our region, but for the country and the world.
At A More Just Chicago, we advocate for embracing this growth with intention. Growth should not be something that happens to our communities, but something we shape with them—ensuring that every neighborhood has a voice and every resident shares in the benefits of a larger, stronger, more vibrant Chicago.
THE NEED FOR A CITY CHARTER
despite being the nation’s third-largest city, ChIcago does not HAVE A CITY CHARTER.
Most major cities in the United States are governed by a charter—a foundational municipal constitution that defines how local government works, clarifies roles and responsibilities, and strengthens accountability.
The idea is not new. In 1905, the Civic Federation introduced a bill in Springfield calling for a charter commission to establish a more transparent and accountable system of government for Chicago. Decades later, during the first Mayor Daley administration, a conversation about a charter resurfaced, but it was dismissed at the time because it was seen as a threat to concentrated executive power.
Over the time since 1905, every other major U.S. city—and thousands of smaller municipalities—have developed mature systems of modern city governance. Chicago has not. As a result, we continue to live with many underperforming and even malfunctioning aspects of city government that weaken trust and slow progress.
That began to change over the past few years, as new discussions about governance reform emerged. And most recently, in the spring of this year, State Representative Kam Buckner introduced legislation calling for the creation of a charter commission—a step that reopens the door to a long-overdue conversation.
At A More Just Chicago, we believe a charter is not about politics—it’s about people. A charter would allow us to align Chicago’s government with best practices used across the country, build public trust, and ensure our city is prepared to govern effectively as it grows. Now is the time to revisit this conversation with seriousness, inclusivity, and vision for the future.
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