Hiring local talent is one of the most impactful ways businesses can contribute to Chicago communities’ prosperity and reduce gun violence. Employment stabilizes households and neighborhoods, strengthens community ties, and supports economic mobility. Quality jobs create a cycle of prosperity that spills over into local businesses, schools, and public services, reducing the cost of those services for the entire region and enhancing the quality of life for everyone.
This initiative isn’t just about filling jobs—it’s about transforming communities through strategic employment to build safer neighborhoods and stronger local economies.
Get Involved!
Whether you're a business with jobs to fill, a community leader ready to collaborate, or an individual eager to contribute, there are many ways to participate.
Tracking Progress
We are committed to transparency and accountability in our efforts to facilitate 20,000 new hires from Chicago’s South and West Side neighborhoods by 2029.
We regularly collect and analyze data to measure our impact, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure we remain on track to meet our ambitious goals.
Key metrics include job placements, retention rates, and community area employment trends. This data helps us evaluate our effectiveness and enables our Members and partners to make informed decisions about their hiring strategies and community investments.
Employment Pathways
The Civic Committee is helping companies hire more South and West Side talent through four proven employment pathways.
Direct Hiring
Hiring from select communities through vetted workforce partners.
Apprenticeships
Developing “earn and learn” programs that provide on-the-job training and paths to full-time employment.
Third-Party Providers
Sourcing contract roles from third-party providers that hire from select communities.
Locating in Communities
Expanding companies' physical footprint to create jobs in select communities.
These four pathways provide flexibility in meeting the varied needs of businesses, potential employees, and communities. Each employer can select the most suitable pathway (or pathways) and work with our implementation partners to ensure they meet their hiring goals.
Hiring Implementation Partners
The Civic Committee is working with implementation partners who support Hiring Initiative employers and potential employees.
These partners prepare workers for jobs before and after the point of hire. They also help employees thrive in the workplace via third-party, wraparound services. In addition, implementation partners help companies understand the needs and challenges of new talent pools and how changes to employer policies and practices can open doors for historically overlooked candidates.
