Contents
Collection Access
Metropolitan Planning Council records
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
-
University of Illinois at Chicago,
801 S. MorganChicago, ILUSA
- Repository Number
- MSMPC74
- Creator
- Metropolitan Planning Council (Chicago, Ill.)., Metropolitan Housing and Planning Council (Chicago, Ill.).
- Title
- Metropolitan Planning Council records
- Dates
- 1934-2000
- Quantity
- 317.0 linear feet.
- Abstract
- The Metropolitan Planning Council is an independent nonprofit Chicago area planning organization. According to its website, it is committed to developing a sustainable and prosperous Chicago region, and since its founding in 1934 it has played a critical role in city infrastructure planning, providing housing for low income individuals, sponsoring urban renewal, protecting the environment, and advocating health care for the poor. The Metropolitan Planning Council Records (ca. 1890-2000) is arranged into ten series: “Administrative,” “Housing,” “Planning and Urban Renewal,” “Transportation,” “Health Issues and Advocacy,” “Environment,” “Government,” “Audio/Visual,” “Publications,” and “Oversized.” It contains administrative records, planning documents, research studies, legal documents, legislative papers, promotional material, photographs, films, and scrapbooks that the Metropolitan Planning Council generated or collected.
- Language of the Material
- English
Administrative Information
Biography/Profile
The Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), formerly the Metropolitan Housing Council and the Metropolitan Housing and Planning Council, is an independent nonprofit organization that promotes strategic planning for the metropolitan Chicago region. According to its website, the Council since its inception in 1934 has played a pivotal role in housing advocacy, city development, slum clearance, transportation planning, economic and neighborhood redevelopment, environmental conservation, and health advocacy for metropolitan Chicago and the surrounding region.
The organization’s main efforts throughout the 1930s were focused on housing issues in Chicago. Its objective was to improve housing in Chicago. It targeted tenement slums by enforcing standards, collecting statistics, and promoting neighborhood planning. In 1937, the city tapped the organization’s founder and director, Elizabeth Wood, to head the newly created Chicago Housing Authority, which had been created to enforce new state and federal housing laws. During the late 1930s, the MPC broadened its focus into other areas of concern. For example, in 1939 the its advocacy for strategic urban planning brought about a revival of the City Plan Commission.
As a result of its increasing interest in strategic urban planning, the Council focused even more directly on slum clearance and planning after World War II, which ended in 1945. Housing remained an important element of its work throughout the 1940s, but Council changed its name to the Metropolitan Housing and Planning Council in 1948 to reflect its newfound interest in city planning and urban renewal.
In the 1950s, the Council continued its focus on housing, city planning, and urban renewal, and expanded into new areas of interest. It developed Chicago’s first housing code, which went into effect in 1957. Council members also played significant roles in several urban renewal, neighborhood redevelopment, and slum clearance projects. With the creation of the Metropolitan Center for Neighborhood Renewal in 1958, the Council assisted neighborhood groups in developing plans to revitalize their communities. As the Chicago metropolitan area continued to grow, the Council successfully advocated for better planning for transportation and land use. As a result, the Chicago Area Transport Study and the Northern Illinois Planning Commission were established to improve transportation throughout the Chicago land region.
After 30 years of committed strategic planning advocacy in Chicago, the Metropolitan Planning and Housing Council was one of the most active non-profits dedicated to improving metropolitan Chicago. By the 1960s, the Council had helped generate enough support for planning to take on the role of liaison among regional stakeholders. It served as a hub for collaborative projects such as the Committee on Urban Progress, which engaged the Chicago-area business community in an effort to tackle regional transportation challenges. In addition, in 1960 the Council led a pilot project to provide rent subsidies for low-income families to move into private housing.
The Council increased its emphasis on transportation planning and environmental conservation for Chicago during the 1970s. To address the demand for quality transportation, it organized the Task Force for the Future of Illinois, which looked into transportation and infrastructure throughout the state. Meanwhile, the organization championed lakefront preservation and joined a coalition of civic groups proposing an addition to Grant Park, a long term project that led to the creation of Millennium Park.
In the 1980s, the Council continued to promote revitalization while working collaboratively throughout the region to encourage what it saw as sound planning. The Second Committee on Urban Progress (SCOUP), later renamed MAP 2000, developed strategies to plan for the approaching new millennium and debated future plans for Navy Pier, McCormick Place, and a new Chicago Bears Stadium. At the same time the Council’s involvement in public housing intensified with the creation of the Chicago Housing Authority Task Force, a Council-led initiative that promoted resident involvement in public housing management and focused on improving living conditions. In 1985, the Council changed its name to the Metropolitan Planning Council. In 1988, the Metropolitan Planning Council launched the Central Area Distributor Project to develop a transit system to serve downtown Chicago.
From the 1990s to the present, MPC has continued its efforts at improving metropolitan Chicago across areas of housing, city planning, regional development, transportation, and urban development. The 1990s witnessed a focus on continued intergovernmental cooperation as well as an added emphasis on public health. MPC staff worked to improve access to immediate and quality health care for metropolitan Chicago and Cook County, especially for the poor and elderly. Since 2000, Metropolitan Planning Council has developed new priorities and reemphasized old ones. Some of these priorities included job creation, preservation of open and natural landscapes, provision of affordable housing, and improvements to public transportation.
Sources Cited and Consulted
“Metropolitan Planning Council.” History. January 18, 2013. http://www.metroplanning.org/about/History.html
Orum, Anthony. “Governing the Metropolis.” Encyclopedia of Chicago. January 18, 2013. http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/531.html.
Scope and Content
The Metropolitan Planning Council Records (1909-2000) document the inception and growth of a nonprofit Chicago-area planning organization. The collection is arranged into ten series: “Administrative,” “Housing,” “Planning and Urban Renewal,” “Transportation,” “Health Issues and Advocacy,” “Environment,” “Government,” “Audio/Visual,” “Publications,” and “Oversized.” As the organization and its programs and affiliates evolved, names occasionally changed and the order of the materials reflects the evolution of these changes. The Metropolitan Planning Council Records provide an in-depth view of Chicago-area planning on issues including affordable housing, urban renewal, transportation, infrastructure, the environment, public health, and the day-to-day work of nonprofit organizations shaping public policy in Chicago and Illinois. Researchers interested in these topics and the work of the Council will find this collection to be a rich resource.
Detailed Series and Subseries List
Series I: Administrative, 1922-1996
Series I, subseries A: Board of Governors, 1934-1992
Series I, subseries B: Committees, 1922-1992
Series I, subseries C: Correspondence, 1948-1990
Series I, subseries D: Annual Meetings, 1943-1991
Series I, subseries E: Annual Reports, 1934-1991
Series I, subseries F: Fundraising, 1943-1993
Series I, subseries G: Members Forum, 1977-1986
Series I, subseries H: Communications, 1934-1996
Series I, subseries I: Conferences, 1945-1995
Series I, subseries J: State/Regional Projects, 1974-1988
Series I, subseries K: Related Organizations and Affiliations, 1959-1995
Series I, subseries L: General Reference, 1934-1989
Series I, subseries M: News Clippings, 1928-1985
Series II: Housing, 1919-1998
Series II, subseries A: Committees, 1939-1997
Series II, subseries B: Chicago Housing Authority Task Force, 1935-1998
Series II, subseries C: General Housing, 1919-1997
Series III: Planning and Urban Renewal, 1909-1992
Series III, subseries A: Planning, 1909-1990
Series III, subseries B: Urban Renewal, 1932-1992
Series III, subseries C: Zoning, 1939-1974
Series IV: Environment, 1935-1988
Series V: Government, 1919-1995
Series VI: Transportation, 1950-1997
Series VII: Health Issues and Advocacy, 1974-2000
Series VIII: Audio/Visual, 1920-1991
Series IX: Publications, 1919-1995
Series X: Oversized, ca. 1890-1972
Access Restrictions
Access restrictions -- Available without restriction.
Use/Re-use Restrictions
Use Restrictions — Digitization. This collection contains currently inaccessible media. Digitization services may be available. Please email lib-spec@uic.libanswers.com.
Use Restrictions — Fragile. The collection contains fragile materials [which require special handling. Please consult the Manuscripts Librarian.
Preferred Citation
Metropolitan Planning Council records, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois at Chicago
Acquisition Information
Accession No. 1974.011.ms. Acquired 1974-03-20
Indexed Terms
- African Americans
- City planning
- Housing
- Low-income housing
- Race relations
- Slums
- Urban renewal
- Chicago (Ill.)
- Chicago (Ill.). Department of Urban Renewal.
- Chicago Housing Authority.
- Chicago Transit Authority.
- illinois. Regional Transportation Authority.
- Metropolitan Housing and Planning Council (Chicago, Ill.).
- Metropolitan Planning Council (Chicago, Ill.).
Inventory
The “Administrative” series includes materials related to the general administration of the Metropolitan Planning Council. It is divided into thirteen subseries: “Board of Governors,” “Committees,” “Correspondence,” “Annual Meetings,” “Annual Reports,” “Fundraising,” “Members Forum,” “Communications,” “Conferences,” “State/Regional Projects,” “Related Organizations and Affiliations,” “General Reference,” and “News Clippings.” Materials include correspondence, meeting agendas and minutes, committee reports, staff and member directories, published annual reports, funding solicitations, conference programs, press releases, news clippings, and files for state and regional projects done in partnership with other organizations.
This subseries includes meeting agendas and minutes, member lists, correspondence, and briefings from the Metropolitan Planning Council’s board of governors and its executive and nominating committees. Material is arranged chronologically within each subject.
- Title
- Board Member Biographies and photographs
- Dates
- 1940-1985
- Title
- Meeting Minutes, Agendas, Briefings, Correspondence, and Notices
- Dates
- 1937-1992
- Title
- Executive Committee Minutes, Agendas, Briefings, and Correspondence
- Dates
- 1934-1992
- Title
- Nominating Committee
- Dates
- 1947-1964
- Title
- Nominating Committee
- Dates
- 1965-1992
This subseries includes materials pertaining to general administrative committees of the Metropolitan Planning Council, including meeting agendas and minutes, correspondence, member lists, biographies, and reports. This subseries is arranged chronologically, with specific committees arranged alphabetically by committee title.
- Title
- Member Lists, Biographies, Reports of Committee Chairmen, and Minutes from Meetings of Various Committees
- Dates
- 1948-1977
- Title
- Administration Organization Committee
- Dates
- 1956-1965
- Title
- Administration Committee and Committee Policy
- Dates
- 1989
- Title
- Bright New City Committee, Capital Program and Budget Committee, Citizens Committee
- Dates
- 1954-1977
- Title
- Communications Committee
- Dates
- 1959-1968
- Title
- Communications Committee
- Dates
- 1969-1991
- Title
- Finance Committee
- Dates
- 1958-1991
- Title
- Human Values Committee
- Dates
- 1958-1966
- Title
- Human Values Committee
- Dates
- 1961-1962
- Title
- Membership Committee
- Dates
- 1965-1970
- Title
- Model Cities Committee
- Dates
- 1966-1976
- Title
- Program Committee
- Dates
- 1944, circa 1965-1967
- Title
- Program Evaluation Committee
- Dates
- 1974-1975
- Title
- Race Relations Committee
- Dates
- 1922
- Title
- Search Committee
- Dates
- 1980
- Title
- Women’s Committee
- Dates
- 1967-1977
- Title
- Women’s Forum Committee
- Dates
- 1965-1971
- Title
- Women’s Forum Committee
- Dates
- 1966-1969
- Title
- Committee Luncheon Receipts
- Dates
- 1979
- Title
- Committees, General
- Dates
- 1987-1992
This subseries contains correspondence of Metropolitan Planning Council executives and staff with community members, businesspeople, other nonprofit organizations, and government officials. This subseries is arranged chronologically.
- Title
- Mayor Richard J. Daley, City Council and Other Officials
- Dates
- 1955-1976
- Title
- Correspondence
- Dates
- 1948-1968
- Title
- Correspondence
- Dates
- 1962-1975
- Title
- Illinois Governors
- Dates
- 1976-1981
- Title
- Correspondence
- Dates
- 1975-1976
- Title
- Correspondence
- Dates
- 1976-1988
- Title
- Chicago Housing Authority
- Dates
- 1986-1990
- Title
- Communications
- Dates
- 1986, 1989, 1990
This subseries includes meeting agendas and minutes and correspondence pertaining to annual meetings of the Metropolitan Planning Council. This subseries is arranged in chronological order.
- Title
- Annual Meetings
- Dates
- 1943-1991
This subseries consists of published annual reports of the Metropolitan Planning Council. This subseries is arranged chronologically.
- Title
- Annual Reports
- Dates
- 1934-1991, 2001
This subseries contains materials related to the Metropolitan Planning Council’s fundraising efforts and its finance and development committees. It includes membership solicitations, grant applications, award letters, and plans and invitations for fundraising events. This subseries is arranged chronologically by subjects.
- Title
- Finance Drives and Prospect Lists
- Dates
- 1958-1963
- Title
- Finance Drives, Prospect Lists, and Donor Records
- Dates
- 1965-1993
- Title
- Corporate Correspondence
- Dates
- 1980-1985
- Title
- Corporate and Individual Solicitations
- Dates
- 1985
- Title
- Non-Corporate Correspondence
- Dates
- 1983-1985
- Title
- Foundations
- Dates
- 1943-1984
- Title
- Foundations
- Dates
- 1974-1988
- Title
- Funders’ Luncheons
- Dates
- 1982-1993
- Title
- Fundraising Plans
- Dates
- 1975-1993
- Title
- Finance Committee
- Dates
- 1965-1990
- Title
- Development Committee
- Dates
- 1988-1991
This subseries includes planning materials, meeting agendas and minutes, correspondence, and reports of the Members Forum, which was a general committee for all paying dues members of the Metropolitan Planning Council. This subseries is arranged in chronological order.
- Title
- Steering Committee, Rehab, Housing
- Dates
- 1977-1983
- Title
- Regional Transit Authority, Enterprise Zones, Rehab Code, Financing Chicago Area Government, Industrial Revenue Bonds, Regional Infrastructure, Tenants’ Rights
- Dates
- 1981-1983
- Title
- Regional Transit Authority, Private Alternatives to Public Transportation, Downtown Zoning, Public Housing, Chicago Central Library, Theater Row
- Dates
- 1983-1985
- Title
- Theater Row, Resident Empowerment in High-rise Public Housing, Density in Chicago, Health Care for the Poor in Cook County, Chicago’s Lakefront
- Dates
- 1985-1986
This subseries contains records of the Metropolitan Planning Council’s outreach efforts, including press releases, policy statements, speeches, newsletters, and tours. Materials are arranged chronologically by type of material.
- Title
- Press Releases and Statements
- Dates
- 1939-1991
- Title
- Speeches, Fred Kramer
- Dates
- 1944-1954
- Title
- Speeches; Fred Kramer, Joseph Pois, Dorothy Rubel, A. Andrew Boemi, Robert Drevs, Robert Weaver, William Slayton, Federal Officials, et. al
- Dates
- 1952-1964
- Title
- Speeches; Philip Hauser, et. al
- Dates
- 1964-1974
- Title
- Newsletters, Council’s Newsletter
- Dates
- 1934
- Title
- Newsletters, Tomorrow’s Chicago
- Dates
- 1946-1968
- Title
- Newsletters, Issues and Positions
- Dates
- 1975-1977
- Title
- Newsletters, Planning Reporter
- Dates
- 1978-1987
- Title
- Newsletters, Issue Brief
- Dates
- 1987-1996
- Title
- Public Relations Events
- Dates
- 1947-1991
- Title
- Public Relations Materials
- Dates
- 1950-1991
- Title
- Awards
- Dates
- 1952-1989
This subseries features planning materials, announcements, programs, and notes from conferences organized by the Metropolitan Planning Council and other affiliated organizations. This subseries is arranged chronologically.
- Title
- Chicago Conference on Home Unity
- Dates
- 1945
- Title
- Chicago Conference on Metropolitan Area Planning
- Dates
- 1956
- Title
- Housing the Economically and Socially Disadvantaged Groups in the Population
- Dates
- 1960-1963
- Title
- Princeton Conference
- Dates
- 1962-1963
- Title
- Wingspread Conference
- Dates
- 1965-1967
- Title
- Other Organizations
- Dates
- 1967-1974
- Title
- Regional Conference Planning
- Dates
- 1984
- Title
- Illinois Infrastructure Issues
- Dates
- 1984-1985
- Title
- Urban Design Conference
- Dates
- 1985
- Title
- Tax Increment Financing Conference
- Dates
- 1986
- Title
- National Conference of Democratic Mayors Forum
- Dates
- 1987
- Title
- Chicago Urban League Housing Forum
- Dates
- 1988
- Title
- Cantigny Conference Series
- Dates
- 1994-1995
This subseries contains materials pertaining to Illinois and Chicago-area cooperative planning initiatives in which the Metropolitan Planning Council participated. It includes correspondence, research materials, meeting agendas and minutes, and reports. Materials are arranged chronologically.
- Title
- Task Force for the Future of Illinois
- Dates
- 1974-1988
- Title
- State Infrastructure Planning
- Dates
- circa 1980-1985
- Title
- Regional Agenda Project
- Dates
- 1985-1987
This subseries includes materials about civic and non-profit organizations that shared common goals for Chicago in areas of city planning, urban renewal, and housing. It includes correspondence, reports, testimonies, clippings, articles, studies, surveys, and pamphlets. This subseries is arranged in chronological order.
- Title
- Related Organizations and Affiliations
- Dates
- 1959-1995
This subseries features writings on the history of the Metropolitan Planning Council, general office files, bibliographies, contact lists, and expense files. Materials are arranged chronologically by types of materials.
- Title
- MPC History
- Dates
- 1934-1986
- Title
- Office Files
- Dates
- 1961-1989
- Title
- Bibliographies
- Dates
- 1945-1985
This subseries is comprised of newspaper clippings and periodicals that refer to the Metropolitan Planning Council and topics of interest to the organization. Clipping are arranged in chronological order.
- Title
- News Clippings
- Dates
- 1928-2000
The “Housing” series includes materials related to slum clearance, housing code reform, fair and affordable housing, and the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA). It is divided into three subseries: “Committees,” “Chicago Housing Authority Task Force,” and “General Housing.” This series holds some of the most historic material in the collection, some materials predates the foundation of the Metropolitan Housing Council. The bulk of the material documents decades-long projects, most notably the Wells Community Initiative, initiated by the Chicago Housing Authority Task Force to improve conditions for Chicago Housing Authority residents, and represents tenant advocacy during the fluctuating rise and fall of public housing in Chicago.
This subseries includes materials related to the various housing committees of the Metropolitan Planning Council. Documents include meeting agendas and minutes, member lists, and committee reports. Each committee is arranged in chronological order.
- Title
- Committee on the Housing Crisis
- Dates
- 1945
- Title
- Housing Code Committee
- Dates
- 1945-1956
- Title
- Housing Code Committee-minutes and agendas [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- February 1952 to June 1956
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing Code Committee-correspondence, memoranda, drafts [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- July 1955 to July1956
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Committee on Code Enforcement
- Dates
- 1951-1965
- Title
- Committee on Code Enforcement-memoranda [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1951-1964
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Committee on Code Enforcement-correspondence [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1953-1955
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Committee on Code Enforcement-minutes and agendas pre 1960 [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- 1955-1959
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Committee on Code Enforcement-reports [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- 1956-1960
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Committee on Code Enforcement-reference materials [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1956-1963
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Committee on Code Enforcement-miscellaneous [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1958-1960s
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Committee on Code Enforcement-recommendations on code enforcement [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1958-1968
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Code Enforcement Committee [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- 1960-1965
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Committee on Code Enforcement-code enforcement statement [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- 1964
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing Code Modernization Committee
- Dates
- 1966-1970
- Title
- Housing Code Modernization Committee-minutes [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- 1966
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing Code Modernization Committee [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- 1967
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing Code Modernization Committee-minutes [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- 1968
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Existing Housing Committee
- Dates
- 1970-1974
- Title
- Public Housing Committee
- Dates
- 1939-1959
- Title
- Committee on Housing for the Aged
- Dates
- 1948-1952
- Title
- Committee on Housing the Disadvantaged
- Dates
- 1948-1969
- Title
- Middle Income Housing Committee
- Dates
- 1956-1963
- Title
- Low Rent Housing Committee
- Dates
- 1960-1963
- Title
- Housing Emergency Committee
- Dates
- 1968-1969
- Title
- Policy Committee on Low Income Housing
- Dates
- 1969
- Title
- Subsidized Housing Committee
- Dates
- 1969-1972
- Title
- Committee on Low and Moderate Income Housing
- Dates
- 1973
- Title
- Housing Committee
- Dates
- 1975-1997
- Title
- Suburban Workers Subcommittee
- Dates
- 1969
- Title
- Subcommittee, Home Rule Commission Study
- Dates
- 1971
- Title
- Family Housing Allowance Subcommittee
- Dates
- Circa 1972
- Title
- Subcommittee on Redlining and Disinvestment
- Dates
- 1975-1997
- Title
- Housing Committee and Subcommittees
- Dates
- 1975-1997
- Title
- Additional Committees
- Dates
- 1953-1992
As an advocate for affordable housing, the Metropolitan Planning Council sought to improve living conditions for low-income residents. The primary focus for the Metropolitan Planning Council was the Chicago Housing Authority Task Force, which began in 1980. Included are materials that encompass the entirety of the Metropolitan Planning Council’s work with the Chicago Housing Authority. It includes the Wells Community Initiative, a program intended to demonstrate the potential of resident management in the Ida B. Wells Homes on Chicago’s South Side; and documentation of prominent housing issues including Chicago Housing Authority management, resident leadership, property rehabilitation and maintenance, and neighborhood economic development. Documents include meeting agendas and minutes, correspondence, work proposals and programs, survey data, community profiles, assessments, resident training records, and reference material. Materials are arranged by subject in chronological order.
- Title
- Historical Files
- Dates
- 1935-1971
- Title
- Administrative, Task Force Meetings
- Dates
- 1985-1989
- Title
- Administrative, Steering Committee
- Dates
- 1985-1989
- Title
- Administrative, Management Subcommittee
- Dates
- 1985-1988
- Title
- Administrative, Other Meetings and Committees
- Dates
- 1985-1989
- Title
- Administrative, Correspondence
- Dates
- 1984-1989
- Title
- Administrative, Planning and Work Programs
- Dates
- 1984-1990
- Title
- Administrative, Financials
- Dates
- 1985-1989
- Title
- Administrative, Chicago Housing Authority Administration
- Dates
- 1981-1989
- Title
- Administrative, Project Background and Research
- Dates
- 1983-1990
- Title
- Residents, Survey Reports, Case Studies and Data
- Dates
- 1985-1990
- Title
- Residents, Committee Meetings and Residential Management Corporation
- Dates
- 1986-1990
- Title
- Residents, Tenant Selection
- Dates
- 1980-1989
- Title
- Residents, Security
- Dates
- 1984-1989
- Title
- Residents, Social Services
- Dates
- 1985-1991
- Title
- Residents, Chicago Housing Authority Rules and Grievances
- Dates
- 1983-1989
- Title
- Residents, General Training
- Dates
- 1985-1989
- Title
- Residents, Background
- Dates
- 1981-1988
- Title
- Rehab and Maintenance
- Dates
- 1972-1988
- Title
- Economic Development
- Dates
- 1984-1990
- Title
- General Reference Material
- Dates
- 1971-1990
- Title
- Wells Community Initiative (WCI), Background Research
- Dates
- 1988-1991
- Title
- Wells Community Initiative (WCI), Planning
- Dates
- 1989-1991
- Title
- Wells Community Initiative (WCI), Staff and Partners
- Dates
- 1989-1996
- Title
- Wells Community Initiative (WCI), Financials
- Dates
- 1988-1994
- Title
- Wells Community Initiative (WCI), Site Planning
- Dates
- 1990-1993
- Title
- Wells Community Initiative (WCI), Annual Meetings and Progress Reports
- Dates
- 1991-1993
- Title
- Wells Community Initiative (WCI), Evaluations
- Dates
- 1988-1992
- Title
- Wells Community Initiative (WCI), Residents
- Dates
- 1989-1992
- Title
- Wells Community Initiative (WCI), Economic Development
- Dates
- 1989-1998
- Title
- Wells Community Initiative (WCI), Job Path
- Dates
- 1987-1995
- Title
- Wells Community Initiative (WCI), Social Services
- Dates
- 1990-1991
- Title
- Wells Community Initiative (WCI), Additional Material
- Dates
- 1989-1996
- Title
- Kenwood-Oakland Redevelopment
- Dates
- 1985-1990
- Title
- Chicago Housing Authority Redevelopment
- Dates
- 1968-1998
This subseries contains materials concerning building and rehabilitation codes, housing courts, fair housing, and tenants’ rights. Also represented is the Metropolitan Planning Council’s effort to increase and improve regulations of the private housing market. It includes code violation records, which is represented in the “housing code” and “rehab code project;” tenant complaints, Chicago housing court records, drafts of city ordinances, and tenant education materials. Materials are arranged by subject in chronological order.
- Title
- Building code modernization proposal [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1960-1963
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Building Code Modernization Task Force [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- 1961
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Drevs, Robert M.-City council statement on proposed changes to housing code [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- 1964
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing Code
- Dates
- 1941-1970
- Title
- Housing code enforcement-case studies [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1952-1960
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing code-opposition [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1963-1964
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing Code Violations (alpha order by Landlord)
- Dates
- 1950-1970
- Title
- Housing standards-building code implementation [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1930s-1950s, bulk 1947-1949
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing standards-enforcement and building department inspection [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1941-1952
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing standards-building code history, 1 of 2 [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1945-1964
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing standards-building code history, 2 of 2 [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1945-1964
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing standards-enforcement-recommended programs and techniques for Housing Inspection Bureau [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- 1945-1970
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing standards-building code endorsements [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1946-1949
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing standards-building code-statements, drafts, et cetera [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1947-1949
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Housing standards-building code-citizens building code commerce [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- 1948-1949
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Court Observers Note cards
- Dates
- 1942-1968
- Title
- Needed Reforms in Housing Tax Policies, by Dick Netzer [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- 1967
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Rehab Code Project, Background Research
- Dates
- 1970-1981
- Title
- Rehab Code Project, National Guidelines
- Dates
- 1978-1980
- Title
- Rehab Code Project, Administration
- Dates
- 1978-1983
- Title
- Rehab Code Project, Public Input
- Dates
- 1980-1982
- Title
- Rehab Code Project, Studies and Draft Reports
- Dates
- 1979-1980
- Title
- Rehab Code Project, Final Report
- Dates
- 1980-1982
- Title
- Fair Housing
- Dates
- 1919-1982
- Title
- T-Power
- Dates
- 1969-1977
- Title
- General Policy
- Dates
- 1933-1994
- Title
- Programs
- Dates
- 1931-1965
- Title
- Finance
- Dates
- 1940-1980
- Title
- Related Organizations
- Dates
- 1940-1973
- Title
- Research
- Dates
- 1933-1997
The series “Planning and Urban Renewal” features materials concerning urban renewal and the planned use of city and state resources. Key topics include public infrastructure, government organization, economic development, slum clearance, racial integration, and city zoning codes. It also includes materials that document the Metropolitan Planning Council’s role in large-scale urban renewal and planning projects like the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, Committee on Urban Progress, and Second Committee on Urban Progress (SCOUP)/Map 2000. Series III is divided into three subseries: “Planning,” “Urban Renewal,” and “Zoning.” Materials include meeting agendas and minutes, correspondence, proposals, project overviews, planning drafts, working papers, research documents, published articles, statistics, informational pamphlets, leaflets, legislative materials, legal documents, press releases, statements, and clippings.
This subseries features materials highlighting the Metropolitan Planning Council’s efforts in regional and city planning for Chicago. It contains materials about both statewide projects and projects specifically for improvement within the city of Chicago. Statewide projects include documentation on large scale planning projects aimed at improving the Northeastern Illinois region in areas of mass transportation, waste management, housing, community renewal, and neighborhood redevelopment. Chicago specific projects include initiatives that investigated ways to improve city infrastructure and economic development like the Committee on Urban Progress and Second Committee on Urban Progress (SCOUP)/Map 2000, as well as smaller projects aimed at protecting Chicago’s landmarks. Documents include committee agendas and minutes, meeting notes, correspondence, proposals, working papers, planning drafts, project overviews, reports, planning applications, reports, project data, research materials, published articles, pamphlets, studies, legislation, legal documents, press releases, statements, clippings, published articles, clippings. Materials are arranged by subject.
- Title
- Planning Committees
- Dates
- 1935-1982
- Title
- Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission
- Dates
- 1938-1982
- Title
- Committee on Urban Progress
- Dates
- 1935-1968
- Title
- Second Committee On Urban Progress (SCOUP)/MAP 2000
- Dates
- 1977-1985
- Title
- Planning in Chicago
- Dates
- 1909-1989
- Title
- Regional Planning
- Dates
- 1958-1979
- Title
- Planning in Other Cities
- Dates
- 1934-1967
- Title
- Landmarks
- Dates
- 1955-1980
- Title
- General issues
- Dates
- 1944-1990
- Title
- Conservation-neighborhood rehabilitation [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1952-1958
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- Markets accepting food stamps [list] [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1950s-1970s
Released on 2021-09-17.
- Title
- [Planning and housing-miscellaneous] [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- circa 1946-1970s
Released on 2021-09-17.
This subseries highlights the Metropolitan Planning Council’s role in urban renewal projects, as well as the organization’s position on other initiatives throughout Chicago. Topics include redevelopment projects undertaken by the City of Chicago and the Chicago Land Clearance Commission, community redevelopment, slum clearance, and land acquisition. This subseries highlights the internal workings of the Chicago Department of Urban Renewal, as well as other redevelopment projects conducted by civic organizations, cities, and states. Documents include committee agendas and minutes, meeting notes, correspondence, proposals, working papers, planning drafts, project overviews, reports, planning applications, project data, research materials, published articles, pamphlets, studies, legislation, legal documents, press releases, statements, and clippings. Materials are organized by subject and chronologically within each subject.
- Title
- Urban Renewal Committees
- Dates
- 1954-1990
- Title
- Redevelopment Projects
- Dates
- 1932-1980
- Title
- Chicago Department of Urban Renewal
- Dates
- 1948-1965
- Title
- Urban Renewal Related Organizations
- Dates
- Circa 1955-1968
- Title
- Urban Renewal in Other Cities
- Dates
- 1940-1965
- Title
- Urban Renewal in Other States
- Dates
- 1968-1972
- Title
- Urban Renewal Research
- Dates
- 1944-1971
- Title
- Urban Renewal General Issues
- Dates
- 1934-1992
This subseries provides an overview of zoning regulations for different redevelopment and urban renewal projects in Chicago. It includes correspondence, overviews of zoning codes, and research studies. Materials are organized chronologically.
- Title
- Zoning
- Dates
- 1939-1974
- Title
- Buildings and zoning-Metropolitan Housing and Planning Council statement to City Council [photocopies of originals]
- Dates
- July 24, 1963
Released on 2021-09-17.
“Environment” is comprised of materials that document the Metropolitan Planning Council’s efforts toward environmental conservation and consideration in city planning. It includes documents revealing Metropolitan Planning Council’s role in planning initiatives for city parks and positions on development projects along Chicago’s Lake Michigan shoreline. Also included are documents on the City of Chicago and State of Illinois’s efforts to regulate air and water quality and land use. Documents include committee minutes and agendas, correspondence, research resources, studies, water and air quality data, planning papers, project overviews, reports, press statements, newspaper clippings, conference materials, financial notes, court documents, and environment laws. The series is arranged by subject matter.
- Title
- MPC Environmental Committee
- Dates
- 1935-1985
- Title
- Lakefront Issues
- Dates
- 1935-1988
- Title
- Parks
- Dates
- 1941-1979
- Title
- Land Use
- Dates
- 1959-1980
- Title
- Air Quality
- Dates
- 1967-1979
- Title
- Water Quality
- Dates
- 1966-1983
- Title
- General Environment
- Dates
- 1972-1974
This series primarily consists of documents related to Metropolitan Planning Council’s legislative and general counsel committees, and, state, city, and federal legislation and litigation proceedings. All materials are associated with one of the following topical areas: city planning, urban renewal, housing, or health care. It includes copies of state and federal congressional bills, failed senate and house legislation, court case proceedings, published federal and state congressional records, proposed and enacted city ordinances, committee minutes and agendas, and correspondence. Materials are arranged in chronological order within groups of like materials.
- Title
- Government Committees
- Dates
- 1945-1968
- Title
- Legislation
- Dates
- 1919-1995
- Title
- Litigation
- Dates
- 1939-1976
“Transportation” documents the Metropolitan Planning Council’s role in transportation planning for the City of Chicago and the Northeastern Illinois region. The bulk of the material relates to public transit, including infrastructure service planning, fiscal solvency of transit agencies, and the creation of a cooperative Regional Transit Authority. Additional material documents the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, as well as comprehensive assessments of the region’s transportation infrastructure. It also provides an in depth window into the Metropolitan Planning Council’s efforts to develop a stable and more efficient transit system through its Central Area Distributor Project. This series includes meeting agendas, minutes and notes; correspondence, budget materials, reports, planning papers, transportation studies, mass transit data, infrastructure assessments, statistics, mass transit legislation, position statements, and press clippings. This series is arranged by subject.
- Title
- Transportation Committees
- Dates
- 1967-1994
- Title
- Mass Transit
- Dates
- 1969-1993
- Title
- Regional Transportation Authority
- Dates
- 1971-1994
- Title
- Circulator Project
- Dates
- 1972-1992
- Title
- Roads
- Dates
- 1950-1978
- Title
- General Transportation
- Dates
- 1950-1997
- Title
- Studies
- Dates
- 1970-1978
“Health Issues and Advocacy” details the work of the Metropolitan Planning Council in conjunction with the Chicago Department of Public Heath and Cook County Department of Health to find suitable health care for the economically disadvantaged and to address other city related health issues. Included are public health studies and data on various metropolitan Chicago health issues, Medicaid reform, primary care for the poor and elderly, and general health care reform on both state and federal levels. It also documents efforts to improve hospital infrastructure by local, state, and federal health departments. Included are committee agendas and minutes, correspondence, health data, health related laws, health codes, budget files, working papers, promotional and informative publications, statements, and press clippings. Materials are arranged according to subjects matter.
- Title
- Metropolitan Planning Council and Affiliated Work Groups and Committees
- Dates
- 1979-1993
- Title
- Health Departments
- Dates
- 1983-1995
- Title
- Public Health Studies and Data
- Dates
- 1985-1994
- Title
- Chicago Metropolitan Area Issues
- Dates
- 1974-2000
- Title
- Health Organizations
- Dates
- 1984-1994
- Title
- Medicaid Resources and Research
- Dates
- 1988-1995
- Title
- Primary Care Research
- Dates
- 1986-1995
- Title
- Health Care Reform
- Dates
- 1992-1995
- Title
- Health Care Programs Outside of Illinois
- Dates
- 1981-1993
“Audio/Visual” is comprised of photographs, slides, film, VHS tapes, and audiocassettes. The bulk of the materials are photographs and slides that document areas in Chicago in that were in need of redevelopment or improvement. This subseries is arranged according to original order.
The items in this series are in formats for which Special Collections may not have the equipment necessary to read them. Interested patrons are advised to call ahead to see whether or how they might be able to view these items.
- Title
- Photographs
- Dates
- 1920-1990
- Title
- Floppy Disks: CHA Project
- Dates
- circa 1988
- Title
- Reel of Magnetic Recording Tape
- Dates
- 1976
- Title
- Graphics: Wells Community Initiative (WCI) Site Planning Manual
- Dates
- undated
- Title
- Slides: Rehab Code
- Dates
- undated
This series consists of published material by the Metropolitan Planning Council and other organizations about city planning, housing, transportation, and health advocacy. It includes newsletters, published books, brochures, reports, and papers. This series is organized by topic with each individual topic organized chronologically.
- Title
- MPC Planning
- Dates
- 1947-1996
- Title
- City of Chicago Planning
- Dates
- 1942-1982
- Title
- About Chicago Area Planning
- Dates
- 1934-1993
- Title
- Outside Chicago Area Planning
- Dates
- 1919-1993
- Title
- Transportation Publications
- Dates
- 1930-1989
- Title
- Health Publications
- Dates
- 1981-1995
This series includes oversized scrapbooks, blueprints, political cartoon prints, photographs, publications, survey data, maps, and film. The bulk of materials are about city planning and housing with a few blue prints and maps related to transportation planning in Chicago.
- Title
- Chicago Housing Authority Task Force Resident Survey Data
- Dates
- 1987
- Title
- Scrapbooks, General
- Dates
- 1952-1961
- Title
- Scrapbook, Clippings
- Dates
- 1961-1963
- Title
- Scrapbook, Women’s City Council for City Renewal
- Dates
- 1954-1958
- Title
- Scrapbook, Clippings
- Dates
- 1963-1966
- Title
- Photographs, Improved Housing Association
- Dates
- circa 1890
- Title
- MAP 2000 Tables and Illustrations
- Dates
- undated
- Title
- Transparencies for the Task Force for the Future of Illinois
- Dates
- undated
- Title
- Maps regarding Gautreaux Transportation Needs Survey
- Dates
- undated
- Title
- News Clippings
- Dates
- ca. 1960 - ca. 1973
- Title
- "Chicago 21," City of Chicago
- Dates
- September 1973
- Title
- "Chicago's Lake Front," Johnson, Johnson and Roy, Inc.
- Dates
- February 1968
- Title
- "Illinois Central Air Rights Dvelopment," City of Chicago
- Dates
- May 1968
- Title
- "South Loop New Town," City of Chicago
- Dates
- August 1975