|
Ye Live in Chicago
Thursday, September 3rd and Friday, September 4th at 8:00 pm
Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami FC
Wednesday, September 9th at 7:30 pm
Chicago Football Classic
Saturday, September 12th at 3:00 pm
Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution
Saturday, September 13th at 5:30 pm
Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, September 20th at noon
Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Monday, September 28th at 7:15 pm
Neighborhood Market Grant Program
Through the Neighborhood Market Grant Program, the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, in partnership with Allies for Community Business, will provide one-time grants of up to $10,000 to small retail food businesses operating a physical storefront in priority geographies across Chicago. The program will focus on businesses that are both economic anchors and food access points in neighborhoods historically impacted by disinvestment. To learn more about the program, view eligibility requirements, and apply, please click here.
Grant Park Participatory Budget
The Chicago Park District will be engaging with constituents in the 3rd Ward to implement the first Participatory Budget Process at Grant Park. Between September 1-30 Chicagoans age 13 and older have an opportunity to help the Chicago Park District prioritize how capital funds will be spent in “Chicago’s Front Yard - Grant Park.”
Through the Park District’s Give Back initiative, a portion of revenue from large, multi-day events held in Grant Park is reinvested into capital improvements. Grant Park’s Participatory Budgeting (PB) process allows the community to help decide how these funds are invested in the park.
This year, community members will vote on three proposed projects for Grant Park:
- Bathrooms at 9th & Columbus
- Dog-Friendly Area Redesign at 9th & Columbus
- Benches & Picnic Tables
The project receiving the most votes will be prioritized for funding through the Grant Park PB process. If the Bathrooms or Dog-Friendly Area Redesign project receives the most votes, PB funds will roll over to the next PB cycle to fully fund and complete the project, as the cost of these projects may exceed the amount currently available in PB funds.
There are two ways to vote:
- Online
- Paper ballot: Available at Maggie Daley Fieldhouse and Women's Park Fieldhouse
This is an opportunity for community members to directly help determine how funds are invested in Grant Park.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training Classes
Register for a Office of Emergency Management and Communications' Fall 2026 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training class. CERT is one of the best and most effective tools for creating resilient communities, ensuring Chicago neighborhoods are equipped to handle unexpected challenges from the grass roots. Classes will be hosted at OEMC (1411 W. Madison St.) every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. starting September 15, 2026 through October 15, 2026.
The CERT Program offers members of the public an opportunity to learn basic hands-on disaster
response techniques and life-saving skills to utilize in their own homes and neighborhoods, directly
strengthening Chicago’s community resiliency. This 100% volunteer program was developed by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985 and implemented nationally by FEMA in 1993. CERT members train for a minimum 27 hours of classroom and 3 hours hands-on practical skills. Sign up for classes here.
Volunteer to be Poll Worker or High School Election Judge
Democracy starts with you! Step up and serve as a poll worker or if you are in high school, an election judge, for the November 3rd, 2026 General Election! Poll workers help with setting up and managing polling places, providing quality customer service to all voters, verifying voter registrations, and issuing ballots. They can also explain how the voting process works by demonstrating how voting machines are used and detailing voting procedures.
High school election judges must first complete in-person training, and can earn up to $230 for serving on Election Day. To qualify, judges must live in Cook County, be a Junior or Senior in high school, be a U.S. Citizen, have at least a 3.0 GPA, and receive written approval from their parent/guardian AND principal. Questions, email [email protected] or call 312-269-7985.
To learn more or sign up to be a poll watcher or high school election judge, please visit pollworker.chicagoelections.gov.
Become a CCPSA District Councilor
Interested in becoming an elected Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability District Councilor? Join an upcoming info session to learn how to represent your neighbors on policing and public safety issues. Info sessions will be held every other Wednesday at 12:30 pm (bit.ly/2027ElectionsLunch), and at 6:00 pm (bit.ly/2027DCElectionsDinner), as well as selected Saturdays at 11:00 am (bit.ly/2027DCElectionsSaturday).
CPD Superintendent Search Feedback Opportunity
The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) is conducting a nationwide search for Chicago's next Superintendent of Police. They are inviting residents, police officers, community organizations, business, faith leaders, and stakeholders from across Chicago to share what qualities, priorities and leadership they want to see in the next Superintendent. Visit bit.ly/SupSearch26 to submit your feedback.
APL EDU Fall 20026 Session
Interested in learning behind-the-scenes theater tech, or curious about designing and building things for your community? Applications are officially live for the 2026 Fall session. Apply today for the Design Apprenticeship Program or the Backstage Production Program! Sessions run between September 28th and December 12th. Interviews are scheduled between September 2nd and September 15th. To learn more about the individual programs or to apply, click here.
Join the Band
Intonation, located at 3633 S. State St. in the 3rd Ward, offers free music programs for youth grades 3-12. Sign up at www.intonationmusic.org to get your music career started!
Gamers' Zone: Teen Gaming
Chill out with games for the Nintendo Switch, board games, or card games. For tweens and teens ages 10 to 17 years old.
Where: King Branch Library (3436 S. King Dr.)
When: Tuesday, September 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm
NHS Home Buyer Education Webinar
Learn about the home buying process such as the basics of budgeting, improving credit, understanding the closing process and down payment assistance programs. This is a virtual event broken down into two four-hour sessions. Register here.
When: Wednesdays, September 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd at 6:00 pm
WITS Workout
Join WITS for fun brain teasers, games, and puzzles that get you thinking. WITS Workout combines intellectually stimulating exercises, social interaction, and education about brain health in a friendly, engaging, way for older adults! Each monthly session will start with a fun activity to help participants get to know each other. Then there will be a short brain training topic. The session will wrap up with a group activity. Registration required at www.dphcounseling.com.
Where: Chicago Bee Library (3647 S. State St.)
When: Tuesday, September 8th at 11:00 am
After-School Science: Slime
Combine chemistry, play and creativity all in one stretchy science experiment. Create your own polymers and fun with slime!
Where: King Branch Library (3436 S. King Dr.)
when: Thursday, September 8th from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
NHS Financial Literacy Webinar
Whether you are planning to purchase a home or simply need to improve your finances, this webinar will prepare you for financial security. Learn how to: develop a spending plan, reduce your debt, and increase your credit score.
When: Tuesday, September 8th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm (link to register)
The State of Illinois is Hiring
Are you interested in building a rewarding career with the State of Illinois? The State of Illinois is co-hosting an Application and Recruitment Event, presented by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS), Statewide Diversity & Inclusion, and Metropolitan Family Services Southeast. This hands-on workshop is designed to help job seekers successfully navigate the State of Illinois hiring process and receive personalized assistance from State recruitment professionals.
Where: Metropolitan Family Services Southeast (3062 E. 91st St,)
When: Thursday, September 10th from noon to 3:00 pm
Vaccine Clinic
The Chicago Department of Public Health is coming to the South Chicago Community Service Center. Catch up on your immunizations, it's free, safe and effective! Available vaccines include: influenza, 2025-26 COVID-19, and limited adult vaccines. Please register at tinyurl.com/38xy4tdf but walk-ins are also welcome!
Where: South Chicago Community Service Center (8650 S. Commercial Ave.)
When: Friday, September 11th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Printers Row Lit Fest
Presented by the Near South Planning Board, the Midwest's largest and longest-running free outdoor literary festival brings together more than 200 authors, journalists, poets and storytellers, offering something for readers of every age and interest. This year's lineup includes Chicago literary icon Scott Turow, and Geoff Bennett the Peabody Award-winning co-anchor of PBS NewsHour and author of Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to '90s Sitcoms. For the full schedule and list of authors and programs, visit www.PrintersRowLitFest.org.
Where: Printers Row District (Dearborn from Ida B. Wells to Polk St.)
When: Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
The Wabash Y Grand Welcoming
TRC welcomes the community back to the newly reopened historic Wabash YMCA! Explore the building's magnificent history, check out what is coming next, and join the marketplace launch to support black-owned businesses, local artists and other community organizations! More info is available at trcwabash.org/marketplace.
Where: Wabash YMCA (3763 S. Wabash Ave.)
When: Saturday, September 12th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Vulnerability as Legacy
The songs that last — Robyn's "Dancing on My Own," Beyoncé's "Love On Top," Mariah Carey's "Fly Like a Bird," Raye's recent "I Know You're Hurting" — share something essential: they are honest to the point of discomfort. Join Chicago Critics Table Alum Britt Julious for an evening of exploration into why vulnerability in song is not just an artistic choice but the mechanism by which art lasts and legacy is born. The event will include a live DJ set, interactive stations, a panel discussion, and an after-event dance party. Sign up here.
Where: Green Line Performing Arts Center (329 E. Garfield Blvd.)
When: Saturday, September 12th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Clif Wallace Big Band
Arts + Public Life’s longest-running program concludes its landmark 13th season on the Arts Lawn. Launched in 2013 to showcase both emerging and established Chicago musicians, First Monday Jazz has brought live performances to the lawn on the first Monday of every month. For their final session of the season, this year's series curator—renowned drummer and composer Clif Wallace II—takes the stage with his own Clif Wallace Big Band! More information is available here.
Where: The Arts Lawn (337 E. Garfield Blvd.)
When: Monday, September 14th from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Infrastructure, Data and the Future Economy
South East Chicago Commission is hosting a symposium to explore how infrastructure, data, and emerging industries are transforming the regional economic landscape, and what this shift means for local communities, businesses, and workforce pathways. Tickets are available here.
Where: The Study Hotel (1227 E. 60th St.)
When: Wednesday, September 16th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
HBCU College Fair
Looking to learn more about attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU)? Join the Imani Pearls Foundation for a workshop with financial aid information and food trucks! Register here.
Where: Greenwood Oasis (7621 S. Greenwood Ave.)
When: Saturday, September 26th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Education and Training Group Citywide Career and Resource Fair
The Chicago Police Department is hosting a Citywide Career and Resource Fair that will offer career opportunities, community connections, education and training, and valuable resources. Click here to register.
Where: 1300 W. Jackson Blvd.
When: Saturday, September 26th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Doing Business with the Park District
The Purchasing Department of the Chicago Park District (CPD) is hosting a series of Informational Sessions on Doing Business with the Park District. The Department of Purchasing is committed to assisting our vendor communities in creating an impact across this vibrant city. Representatives from Park District departments will be present to speak on items including contracting opportunities regarding Planning & Construction, Facility Management, and Natural Resources. Register here.
Where: South Shore Cultural Center (7059 S. South Shore Drive)
When: Wednesday, October 21st from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
|