Eleven Communities Receive Tailored Workshop Assistance for Aging-in-Community

In March 2021, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus launched Aging in a Changing Region in partnership with Planning/Aging and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). This program responds to growing interest from municipalities across the region to better address the evolving needs of their aging populations. The initiative is funded by the Retirement Research Foundation for Aging and designed with input from local leaders in the Caucus’ Age-Friendly Communities Collaborative. The objective is to help municipalities place an aging lens on top of local operations, add capacity to implement new initiatives, and receive technical assistance for policy change.

Twenty communities applied for FREE tailored workshop assistance through Aging in a Changing Region in 2021 and 2022. Led by Planning/Aging, these workshops help municipalities prioritize age-friendly issues and actionable first steps. Where applicable, CMAP provides targeted technical assistance to advance immediate priorities identified in the workshops.

2021 Cohort Accomplishments:

The inaugural cohort of Aging in a Changing Region communities included the Village of Bensenville, City of Calumet City, Village of Hawthorn Woods, Village of Mount Prospect and Village of Park Forest. At the conclusion of the program, each community received a customized strategic guide summarizing key takeaways from two in-person workshops with residents and community stakeholders.

Strategic guides can be viewed here.

This image displays the covers of five strategic guides produced for the Park Forest, Calumet City, Bensenville, Hawthorn Woods, and Mount Prospect.

2021 Aging in a Changing Region Strategic Guides

2022 Cohort Announcement:

The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is proud to announce in second cohort of Aging in a Changing Region communities:

  • Village of Broadview and Village of Bellwood (joint participation)
  • City of Highland Park
  • Village of Maywood
  • Village of Richton Park
  • United City of Yorkville

Assistance is already underway in these communities.