History - Chicago Commons

History

“Underlying this word ‘Commons’…is the idea of sharing what each can be to all and what all can be to each, what belongs to no person or class exclusively, but to everyone, to the whole people of the community or nation.”

- Dr. Graham Taylor, Founder, Chicago Commons

Founded by Graham Taylor in 1894, Chicago Commons was one of Chicago’s original settlement houses, serving immigrants on the city’s northwest side.

Shortly after, Chicago Commons opened one of the city’s first kindergartens in 1897 to create opportunities for the neighborhood’s residents. Soon after, Commons began offering programs for individuals of all ages through clubs and classes, providing an open forum to discuss local community events.

For 130 years, Chicago Commons has upheld the values of the historic settlement house movement by consistently engaging in dialogue with community residents. We base our strategic direction on listening to the people we serve, understanding the changing dynamics of the neighborhoods around us, and seeking innovative ways to respond.

1894

Graham Taylor founds Chicago Commons settlement house at 140 N. Union Street.

1897

Commons establishes one of first kindergartens in Chicago.

1901

Commons moves to Grand and Morgan

1906

Graham Taylor founds social work training institution, now University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration

1921

Lea D. Taylor, oldest daughter of Graham Taylor becomes Executive Director

1948

Commons and Emerson House merge. Bill Brueckner becomes Executive Director

1958

Taylor House, Bucktown, opens

1965

Mile Square Center, Henry Horner Homes, opens

1966

Commons, Olivet Community Center, Mary McDowell Settlement House merge

1968

Frank S. Seever becomes Executive Director

1980

Adult Day Care, Englewood, opens

1990

New City Family Center, New City, opens

1991

Employment Training Center (ETC), West Humboldt Park, opens

1993

Reggio Emilia approach to early learning adopted

1994

Chicago Commons celebrates 100 years

1995

Guadalupano Family Center, Pilsen, opens

2000

Administrative offices move to West Humboldt Park

2001

Paulo Freire Family Center, Back of the Yards, opens

2002

Frank C. Schell III becomes Executive Director

2003

ETC becomes Adult Education

2006

Dan Valliere becomes Executive Director

2010

Chicago Commons continues it’s mission, begun in 1894

2012

Chicago Commons opens its new innovative Senior Care Center and Administrative offices move to Bronzeville.

2013

Edgar Ramirez becomes President and CEO

2014

Chicago Commons’ celebrates 120 years

2015

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.

2016

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.

2021

Chicago Commons becomes the second largest provider of Early Head Start / Head Start programs in Chicago

2022

Chicago Commons hosts its first annual Entrepreneurship Fair

2023

Family Hub expands with a $2.2M investment from JPMorgan Chase

2024

Chicago Commons celebrates 130 years of service across Chicagoland

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