The Urban Center

About The Urban Center

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Our Mission

To organize and give voice to a centrist community in Chicago and across Illinois by leading and taking action on the development and implementation of a ‘common sense’ agenda that builds strong families, safe neighborhoods and greater economic opportunities.

what we stand for

Access to Quality Schools

Every child must have access to a world-class education.

Our education system must allow parents to choose a school—public or private—that best fits the needs of their children.

Schools and school systems must be accountable to parents and taxpayers for delivering on the promise of a quality education for each child and producing the next generation of engaged citizenry. Schools, school systems and universities are in urgent need of a renewed focus on healthy culture, academic achievement and accountability to better serve the potential and promise of the next generation.

Image of books stacked with apple on top with the red Chicago Star.
Image of gavel and police badge with the red Chicago star.

Safe Communities

Communities cannot thrive if residents do not feel safe.

This can only occur with effective and fully resourced policing to tackle criminal behavior along with a commitment from prosecutors and judges to put the needs of victims first. True public safety rests on justice which demands that the police, prosecutors and judges are held accountable to the community that they serve.

Community engagement is a must as trusted allies with law enforcement in the fight for safe and livable neighborhoods.

Economic Opportunity

Healthy cities support families and businesses to grow, thrive and prosper.

Immigrant communities know this all too well. Their entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic is a model that needs to be supported, nurtured and replicated throughout the city and state, especially with and for returning citizens and the homeless.

Job creation and generational wealth need to be the priorities, promoted via innovative programs and initiatives to produce a strong workforce, responsible finances and taxation, business growth and development and adequate and sustainable housing. Our goal is to provide less of a safety net and more of a robust springboard that catapults families and communities to economic prosperity.

Image of graph and money with the red Chicago star.
Image of State Capitol with magnify glass and the red Chicago star.

Government Accountability

Government must be responsive to the needs of communities and taxpayers.

It must also adhere to a system of checks and balances to eliminate (and prevent) government and political corruption.

To that end, citizens and voters must become engaged in the civic and political process. We believe that government accountability demands that all groups get a proportionate and appropriate share of governmental resources.

The Institution of Family

The family structure is the foundation for building strong and healthy communities and has long-served as the bedrock of communities’ moral compass and civic responsibility.

The institution of family needs to be supported, not only as an idea, but specifically through public policies that bolster the role of parents, especially fathers, in decision-making on behalf of their children, incentivizes parent responsibility, fosters family health, well-being and stability and which engages social and faith-based institutions in buttressing the family. We envision a city and state that becomes the place to raise a family in 21st century America.

Image of family with house and car with the red Chicago star.

Take Action & Get Involved

I share in the mission of The Urban Center and believe in a “common-sense” agenda for our families and communities. I’d like to stay involved and up-to-date with the organization.
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