Illinois Medical District Commission Adopts CCAC Recommendations
On Tuesday, January 21, the Illinois Medical District Commission (IMDC) resolved to adopt the CCAC's recommendations for improving the regional, national, and international presence of the Illinois Medical District. The CCAC plan, developed during a special planning charrette in November 2013, aims at enhancing gateways and aesthetics, transportation access, and joint initiatives within the District. IMDC Executive Director Warren Ribley praised CCAC's efforts, saying, "We are both grateful and impressed with the time, energy and committment that the CCAC volunteers put into understanding the complexities of the IMD and are proud to be partners with the CCAC." Charette co-chairs Christine Carlyle (Solomon Cordwell Buenz) and Mike Szkatulski (RMC International) represented the CCAC at the meeting and thanked the Commission for its continued partnership. 

Read the Resolution (PDF) | Read the Press Release (PDF)

New CCAC Website in Progress
In anticipation of the completion of our new CCAC website in early March, members are invited to preview the site and take a peak at our new online branding. The new website, www.ccac.org, includes a visually stunning front-page slideshow showcasing the subdistricts of Chicago, as well as a leadership biography page and a detailed history of the organization. Additional features soon to roll out include pages featuring important news and member updates, as well as a newsletter archive. As the site is not yet finished, some features and content may not work as expected. Your patience while viewing this preview is appreciated. The CCAC would like to thank DeVry University and hardworking DeVry student volunteers Chris de Leon, Matthew Hedel, Jacob Lockemy, Kimberly Marcano and Teodor Nikolaev for creating the new home page and working dilligently to bring it to completion. 

Visit the new CCAC Website>>

Business Opportunity Alert
On January 22, IMDC announced a new, mixed-use development opportunity in the heart of the Illinois Medical District. The IMD Gateway Development RFP includes parcels at the signature gateway to the District, including a 9.5 acre site at 2020 West Ogden Avenue and a 0.2 acre site at 1919 West Harrison Street. In concert with CCAC’s recommendations for the District, it is hoped the RFP will encourage higher densities and attract a richer mix of uses to the nation’s largest urban medical district. An Economic Impact Study released in September by the UIC Center for Urban Economic Development showed that the District provides nearly $3.5 billion to the economy, placing it on par with the region’s other major economic engines, including Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center and Navy Pier.

Read the Announcement (PDF) | Visit the IMDC RFP Web Page>>

CCAC Reviews IMD Plan Recommendations at January Meeting
Karen Atwood, President of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, hosted CCAC's January 14 meeting at BCBSIL's headquarters in downtown Chicago. Members heard a presentation on the process and outcome of CCAC's IMD planning charette from Charette co-chairs Christine Carlyle (Solomon Cordwell Buenz) and Mike Szkatulski (RMC International), as well as comments from IMDC Executive Director Warren Ribley. IMD development was identified as a top priority of the CCAC at the Member Planning Retreat in July 2013. In November, CCAC members came together to brainstorm ways to improve aesthetics, accessibility, and stakeholder collaboration within the District. Recommenations include the creation of a regional Supplier Campus, a Tele-Medicine system to support information sharing across institutions, better intra-District transportation and urban design, the creation of integrated parking and waste management plans, and coordination of PR activities via IMDC. A final report will be released later this year.

Read the CCAC IMD Charrette Review and Recommendations (PDF)

Bryan Cave Sponsors Office Space for CCAC Staff
The CCAC would like to thank Bryan Cave LLC, Managing Partner Michael K. Ohm and Partner Gregory Hummel for providing space for CCAC staff to manage the Commission at the firm's offices in downtown Chicago.

Full CCAC 2014 Meeting Calendar Available
The full 2014 calendar of CCAC's monthly meetings is available for your convenience. Our remaining hosting organizations this year include Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP, Drinker Biddler & Reath, Jenner & Block, Cushman & Wakefield, DePaul University, The Field Museum, United States Army Corps of Engineers, University of Illinois at Chicago, Sidley Austin LLP, and Bryan Cave LLP. 

View the Full CCAC 2014 Meeting Calendar (PDF)