Great ideas often just
need a spark.
Our story started in 1985 when Mayor Harold Washington asked business leaders for help with the City’s budget.
Today, we continue to build on Chicago’s history of civic engagement by fostering collaborations that strengthen the Chicago region.
We invite you to dive into our history.
Our History
Commercial Club of Chicago
By 1877, Chicago had become a leading industrial and commercial center. To support Chicago’s growing economic vitality, leading businessmen formed the Commercial Club of Chicago to undertake various civic, social, and economic pro bono projects. In 1909, the club underwrote Daniel Burnham's Plan of Chicago, which earned worldwide recognition and inspired a 50-year development and beautification program. Over the years, the Commercial Club has played an important role in Chicago’s transformation into the world-class city it is today.
Civic Committee of the Commercial Club
In 1983, the Commercial Club released its seminal Jobs for Metropolitan Chicago study, showing in stark detail how Chicago was losing its economic prominence. But understanding the problem is one thing. Developing solutions to the problem is another. In response, the Club formed its Civic Committee to undertake projects to bolster core industries and pursue new economic opportunities for the region. Since its founding, the Civic Committee has been at the forefront of public policy, focusing today on education, state finance, technology, transportation, and infrastructure.
Since 2006, Civic Consulting Alliance has channeled nearly $200 million in collaborative pro bono investments in the issue areas that matter most to our region.
Civic Consulting Alliance
In 1985, Chicago Mayor Harold Washington asked the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago to evaluate the fiscal health of the City. More than 70 business leaders came together on a pro bono basis to study the budget, evaluate long-range financial prospects, and find ways of strengthening the City’s bottom line through improved operations. But the City also needed help implementing the recommended reforms. The Civic Committee organized the Financial Research and Advisory Committee (FRAC) to bring private-sector expertise on a pro bono basis to the cause. The initiative was such a resounding success that the group soon undertook additional projects. The scope of FRAC’s work eventually expanded beyond the operational reform recommendations in 1985, and FRAC took on some of the broader challenges of governmental and municipal management.
In 2005, FRAC formally changed its name to Civic Consulting Alliance. The name change reflects both the wider range of issues the organization takes on today and our unique approach to working with pro bono partners. While Civic Consulting Alliance operates independently, we are closely affiliated with the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, which provides critical financial resources, advisory support as members of our Board, and back-office services to the organization. Additionally, we are proud to collaborate with the Civic Committee and our fellow affiliate organizations —Kids First Chicago and P33 — on projects critical to our region’s success.
Since 2006, Civic Consulting Alliance has channeled nearly $200 million in collaborative pro bono investments in the areas that matter most to our region: building safer and more just communities, ensuring equitable access to education opportunities and outcomes, accessible healthcare that increases holistic well-being, and growing an economy that works for everyone.
Key Dates & Milestones
“Civic Consulting Alliance has been an essential partner in many of our most impactful efforts—from supporting the People’s Plan for Community Safety to unlocking the promise of Cut the Tape initiative to accelerate development across our city. Mayor Harold Washington had the brilliant idea to tap into Chicago’s deep well of civic talent through Civic Consulting Alliance, and I’m proud to carry that legacy forward to deliver bold, lasting change for every Chicagoan.”
Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago