Project conceived by Alma Campos, Civic Reporting Fellowship alum
Writing and reporting by Alma Campos, Sarah Conway and Phoebe Mogharei

Out of years of reporting, research and relationships with community members, City Bureau has built “Will That New Development Benefit Your Community? The People’s Guide to Community Benefits Agreements and Alternatives” to inform, engage and equip Chicago residents to be active participants in the development process. 

In this guide, City Bureau explores pathways to equitable development and the tools that enable that work. We dig deep into Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) and how they are created. We also provide case studies and speak to community residents, local organizations, legal experts and other people creating CBAs across the country.

You can read and share each part of the guide below, or scroll to the bottom to download a PDF of the full guide or request free print copies.

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Acknowledgements

Project conceived by Alma Campos, Civic Reporting Fellowship alum

Writing and reporting by Alma Campos, Sarah Conway and Phoebe Mogharei

Illustrations by Cori Lin

Design by Davon Clark

Editing and fact-checking by Sarah Conway and Phoebe Mogharei

Special thanks to Clifford Helm and the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights

Spanish translation by Yessica Chu 

Spanish editing by Gisela Orozco

Project management by Sarah Conway

Engagement reporting by Daniela Jaime