Founded by Graham Taylor in 1894, Chicago Commons was one of Chicago’s original settlement houses serving immigrants on Chicago’s northwest side. Since our founding, Commons has been neighborhood focused, and operated in areas where residents are most at risk for poverty, violence and educational disadvantage.
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- 1894
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Graham Taylor founds Chicago Commons settlement house at 140 N. Union Street.
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- 1897
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Commons establishes one of first kindergartens in Chicago.
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- 1901
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Commons moves to Grand and Morgan
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- 1906
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Graham Taylor founds social work training institution, now University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration
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- 1921
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Lea D. Taylor, oldest daughter of Graham Taylor becomes Executive Director
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- 1948
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Commons and Emerson House merge. Bill Brueckner becomes Executive Director
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- 1958
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Taylor House, Bucktown, opens
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- 1965
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Mile Square Center, Henry Horner Homes, opens
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- 1966
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Commons, Olivet Community Center, Mary McDowell Settlement House merge
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- 1968
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Frank S. Seever becomes Executive Director
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- 1980
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Adult Day Care, Englewood, opens
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- 1990
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New City Family Center, New City, opens
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- 1991
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Employment Training Center (ETC), West Humboldt Park, opens
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- 1993
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Reggio Emilia approach to early learning adopted
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- 1994
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Chicago Commons celebrates 100 years
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- 1995
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Guadalupano Family Center, Pilsen, opens
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- 2000
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Administrative offices move to West Humboldt Park
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- 2001
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Paulo Freire Family Center, Back of the Yards, opens
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- 2002
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Frank C. Schell III becomes Executive Director
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- 2003
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ETC becomes Adult Education
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- 2006
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Dan Valliere becomes Executive Director
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- 2010
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Chicago Commons continues it’s mission, begun in 1894
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- 2012
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Chicago Commons opens its new innovative Senior Care Center and Administrative offices move to Bronzeville.
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- 2013
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Edgar Ramirez becomes President and CEO
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- 2014
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Chicago Commons’ celebrates 120 years
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- 2015
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Former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Sylvia Matthews Burwell and Mayor Rahm Emanuel visit and tour Commons’ Paulo Freire Family Center and read to students.
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- 2016
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Chicago Commons’ new multi-generational program, the Family Hub, officially providing services at all four early education schools. The program provides education, financial, employment and health and wellness services to parents and family members enrolled in each of our early education schools.
