March 5, 2025

City Club event description:

For more than a decade, the Cook County Land Bank has transformed vacant properties into vibrant community assets. By clearing red tape and tapping into the talents and local knowledge of small developers, the Land Bank has rehabbed over 2,000 properties and generated $1.8 billion in economic impact – all while building a thriving private market in communities across the County. This panel of Chicagoans – leaders in the public and private sectors, will reflect on the home-grown solutions and successes to create economic growth and insure everyone in Chicago loves where they live.

City Club video

Panelists include: Walter Burnett Jr., 27th Ward Alderman, Vice Mayor, City of Chicago; Jessica Caffrey, Executive Director, Cook County Land Bank Authority; Luis Castro, Owner, L&MC Investments; Bridget Gainer, 10th District Cook County Commissioner, Founder & Board Chair of Cook County Land Bank Authority; and Jim Reynolds, Jr., Founder, Chairman & CEO of Loop Capital, Executive Committee Member of the Chicago Community Trust.