Three focus groups were held in May 1995 to provide input into a proposed University of Illinois at Chicago arts center. The focus groups were held under the auspices of the UIC Arts Center Committee, composed of University faculty and staff, which wished to obtain community input into the development of the arts center concept. The nearly 30 participants represented city-wide and local arts organizations, public entities such as local government, schools, and public housing, and community-based organizations. (See Appendix A for a listing of participants.)
Chicago
Transnational Investment and Job Loss: The Case of Chicago
This report estimates the job loss associated with transnational investment policies of firms based in Chicago at the beginning of the 1980's decade. We examine that magnitude in several ways. First, we develop an estimate of the number of jobs lost because of factory closings or major layoffs by corporate parents of Chicago firms. We include those parents who were engaged in significant international operations at the time they reduced or eliminated production in Chicago. Our estimate is 79,744 jobs eliminated in the City of Chicago between 1980 and 1990.
Manual for Monitoring Local Manufacturing Employment, Plant Closings, & Major Layoffs
This is a manual for activists who wish to monitor the loss of manufacturing employment in the wake of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). A number of activists have asked: why should we use our time and energy to collect data? Those of us already engaged in this activity have two answers: First, organizing people around "our right to know" is an important part of following up on our opposition to NAFTA. NAFTA was negotiated in secret. Information about its effects is often guarded by the government bureaucrats under the guise of protecting the competitive position of firms.
The Impact on the Chicago Regional Economy of Operation Jobs
Studies of the undocumented labor force are notoriously difficult to conduct. Standard collection methods, such as questionnaires or employer records, are often inaccurate, inefficient and unavailable. This study gathers primary information about the effect of the raids through personal interviews of employers and employees. The list of companies raided, locations and dates were provided by the INS. Of the eighteen companies studied, data on 10 companies came from phone interviews with the owners, if available, or with managers.
Households' Needs and Community Response in Three Chicago Neighborhoods: The impact of the New Federalism
Over the past few years, low and moderate income households have been affected by both economic recession and the impact of reductions in funding for social service programs. Research by the Urban Institute has focussed on how the funding changes have affected not-for-profit organizations and how these organizations cope with the increased demand for their services.
The Impact of the Federal and State Urban Development Action Grants (UDAG, IDAG) on Chicago: 1976 - 1986
The Chicago 1992 Committee has requested CUED to undertake a study of the federal Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) and the Illinois Development Action Grant (IDAG) programs that have been awarded to the City of Chicago. The purpose of the study is 1) to determine how these programs have been utilized in the City to foster development and job opportunities and 2) to determine what actions the Chicago 1992 Committee can undertake to see that the City of Chicago uses these programs effectively to improve the employment base for the City.
Long Range Marketing Plan-Private Industry Council of Chicago
In March 1980, Donald I. Kane Associates prepared the Short Range Marketing Plan for the Private Industry Council of Chicago. It suggested that new marketing approaches needed to be structured to reverse employers' negative perceptions about CETA programs. The following was recommended:
(1) Meet perceived problems head-on. The major obstacles confronting PIC in marketing its program are the following employers' perceptions:
(a) Economically disadvantaged and CETA eligible people don't want to work, don't know how to work
Impact of the Chicago Building Code on Small Businesses
Building codes play an important role in the stabilization and revitalization of neighborhoods. While much local attention has been focused on building codes changes to accommodate residential revitalization, there has been little corresponding discussion of the impact of the code on small businesses. The Chicago Association of Neighborhood Development Organizations (CANDO) has stepped in to help fill the knowledge gap with this report. Surveys, interviews, a meticulous review of the Chicago Building Code, and comparisons of the Chicago Code to model and suburban codes were conducted.
Humbolt Park: Employment Challenges and Opportunities
Chicago’s Humboldt Park economy and residential community have changed significantly since the 1970s. Traditionally a predominately white, working-class community, since the early 1970s, Humboldt Park has grown increasingly Latino and poor. Unemployment has risen, while manufacturing employment dropped by 70 percent between 1972 and 1993.
Employment and the 1992 Chicago World's Fair
This report presents an analysis of the proposed 1992 Chicago World's Fair in regard to its potential for job creation, the likely beneficiaries of these jobs, and the public policies which might affect the distribution of jobs. Economic development and job creation have been cited as major benefits which a Fair would bring. However, our analysis raises serious questions about the size and impact of these benefits.