Local Government Relations

Guiding this relationship is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by UChicago and the City of Chicago in 2011. The goal of the MOU is to coordinate capital investments and streamline communication to accelerate positive economic impact on the South Side and the larger city by creating jobs and improving key services for local residents. Building on the success of the 2011 MOU, another agreement was signed in 2014 that was extended in 2018 for an additional three-year term. 

The 2018 MOU extension includes the following UChicago commitments: 

• Expanded goals for minority and women-owned business contracting opportunities for construction 
• Support of Learn.Plan.Succeed 
• Participate in citywide effort to close completion gaps between African American and Hispanic students and their White peers
• Partner with Chicago Public Schools leadership, the Children First Fund, and leadership in networks 9 and 17 to identify supports for schools within these networks
• Work with the City of Chicago to learn more about the impact transitional math courses have on students’ postsecondary outcomes
• Continue implementation of the My Very Own Library program in area CPS schools, which supplies 10 books and supplementary resources and supports family literacy events, community engagement, and workshops.  The University currently supports this program in 18 South Side schools, including the four campuses of the UChicago Charter School. 
• Offer scholarship for Chicago Public School Educators 

UChicago strives to provide cutting edge facilities to support the rigorous inquiry of our students and faculty, which requires close collaboration with the community, city partners, and elected officials. The Local Relations team seeks to ensure the successful operation and enhancement of the campus while maximizing economic opportunity for Chicago’s south side and respecting our neighbors.

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