Over 200 community members helped inform Chicago’s Co-Governance Framework along with the Co-Governance Steering Committee
CHICAGO – In collaboration with the Co-Governance Steering Committee, the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) and Chicago United for Equity (CUE) have launched a draft of Chicago’s Co-Governance Framework, which includes an opportunity for public comment to continue the Johnson administration’s commitment to collaborative governance.
“Today’s launch of our city’s first Co-Governance Framework is a step forward in my administration’s commitment to fundamentally change how government and communities work together,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “For too long, community voices have not been at the center of decision-making. Through our partnership with CUE and the Steering Committee, we are moving beyond traditional engagement to ensure that those most impacted by decisions are true partners in shaping Chicago's future.”
The Steering Committee, in partnership with OERJ and CUE, hosted 18 community conversations to build this framework. Over 200 participants from 57 neighborhoods reflected on their relationships with government and shared their visions for co-governance. Data from each community conversation was documented by OERJ and CUE partners. A research partner of CUE, Dr. Tiffany Ford from the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, compiled and analyzed the data presented in the draft framework.
The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the first draft to strengthen Chicago's Co-Governance Framework by Feb. 28, 2025. To access the framework and public comment, visit chi.gov/co-governance.
This initiative stems from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s vision to create a more collaborative government that aims to build the foundation necessary for government and communities most impacted to collaboratively identify solutions to challenges caused by racial, health and economic inequities.
“We believe that true democracy thrives when power is shared. Co-governance is not just a strategy—it’s a commitment to leveraging the power of communities and government to ensure that those most impacted by policies are driving collective decision-making,” said Candace Williams, Interim Executive Director of Chicago United for Equity. “We are proud to continue advancing this work in partnership with the community, in an effort to build a more just and equitable city.”
The Co-Governance Steering Committee, which consists of nine diverse, cross-sectored and community-connected individuals, designed and facilitated the community conversations to create a shared definition and the supporting values and principles through these conversations and reflections.
“Building collaborative governance structures cannot be done in isolation. We want to ensure we create an opportunity for all Chicagoans to build a tool that we hope will foster shared decision-making between government and community," said Carla Kupe, Chief Equity Officer.
OERJ and CUE, in partnership with the Co-Governance Steering Committee, will host a convening in early April of this year to share Chicago's Co-Governance final framework and the future of this work.
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About The Office of Equity and Racial Justice
The Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) seeks to advance institutional change that results in an equitable transformation of how we do business across the City of Chicago enterprise. This includes the City’s service delivery, resource distribution, policy creation, and decision-making. OERJ will do this by supporting City departments in normalizing concepts of racial equity, organizing staff to work together for transformational change, and operationalizing new practices, policies, and procedures that result in more fair and just outcomes. Visit chicago.gov/equity.
About Chicago United for Equity
Chicago United for Equity (CUE) is a network of racial justice advocates working across diverse types of civic power as organizers, researchers, artists, storytellers, policymakers, and lawyers to redesign Chicago’s civic institutions and transform Chicagoans’ relationship to power. Since 2018, CUE has garnered national recognition for developing people-powered voter guides, participatory budgets, and community-led policymaking strategies. CUE equips leaders across various sectors with the tools to drive transformational change, ignite civic imagination, and meaningfully engage with impacted communities across Chicago. CUE, its Fellows, and its partners harness their collective power and civic love in pursuit of a Chicago that works for all of us. Learn more at chicagounitedforequity.org.
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