Our Work

Englewood Quality of Life Initiative

We, the residents of Englewood are proud of our rich history as one of Chicago’s most prominent south side communities. Our culture and the assets of this community represent the growth of a neighborhood established in the 1800’s that has flourished over time. We are reclaiming and beautifying vacant land near our homes. We enjoy our annual Englewood Back to School Parade, Englewood Jazz Festival, Englewood 5K Run and So Fresh Saturday celebrations in our community parks. We are home to high performing schools including Kershaw Elementary, Lindblom Math & Science Academy and Kennedy-King College. We are also home to Woods Street Farm, a USDA certified organic farm and Goodness Greeness, one of the City’s largest providers of certified organic produce.

Englewood Quality of Life Plan II Executive Summary In April 2015, a decade of accomplishments by residents, community organizations, businesses, elected officials and clergy was celebrated at the 10th Anniversary of the 2005 Englewood Quality-of-Life Plan. In January 2016 the community reconvened to begin the work of drafting an updated community-driven Quality-of-Life Plan. Five task forces met to address the issue areas deemed most important to the community. Each task force developed visions, goals and strategies to restore Englewood as one of Chicago’s leading communities. A steering committee convened representing each aldermanic ward, business and community leaders.

The Greater Englewood community is bounded by Hamilton Avenue on the west, Dan Ryan Expressway on the east, 75th Street on the south and West Garfield Boulevard on the north. Englewood has many strengths that often go unnoticed by those outside of the community. While this community continues to face challenges each and every day, we believe that our neighborhood is thriving once again. These beliefs are evi-denced by planned commercial and housing development projects along the 63rd and 59th Street Corridor including Englewood Square Mall that hosts a Whole Foods Mar-ket, Starbucks and Chipotle. There are plans for a Phase Two of development adjacent to Englewood Square. In 2016, St. Bernard Hospital, which has served the Englewood community for over 100 years, opened a new, state-of-the-art Ambulatory Care Center. Government investment tax credits and other economic incentives are expected to fuel future growth in the business and housing markets over the next 10-15 years. These projects include Norfolk Southern Railroad improvements, Metra Rail Flyover and New Era Trail projects. Englewood is a transportation hub within minutes from downtown Chicago.

If you want to be involved in the EQLP please complete this interest form for updates