Upcoming Events

You don’t need to go on vacation to have an adventure! The unique programs we’re offering will get you thinking and doing, all summer long.

Tap Into Your Inner Creative Director at the Chicago Design Museum

Special Engagement

$15.00, August 7, 8:00am

Roundtable: The Business and Policy of Legal Cannabis in Illinois

Lab

August 15, 6:00pm

Behind the Show with Sofar Sounds

Chicago Ideas Week: October 15-21

Save the date for the world's largest affordable ideas festival. This year's program will push you to stretch your horizon of what's possible, using ideas as a springboard to make positive change possible, right here in Chicago.

Latest Blog Posts

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5 Key Takeaways from our Data Lunch

Ideas, Etc.

Here, We Do: DePaul Equips Students for the Age of Giving Back

Speaker Showcase

Writer Nell Scovell Delights During Our Curiosity Series

Why does Chicago Ideas matter?

Learn more about what Chicago Ideas brings to the community.

Ideas Day gives students the power to create change in their schools

This year marks the inaugural Ideas Day, a new initiative which brings Chicago Ideas-style events into schools throughout Chicago

Learn More

Make an impact

Find out how we are inspiring action and affecting change in our community.

Learn more about our programs

Connecting, inspiring and empowering Chicago's future leaders

Learn more about our youth program

Chicago Ideas has become an integral part of the fabric of our city. By bringing together thought leaders from across the globe, it helps establish Chicago as a hub for cutting-edge ideas and innovation.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Co-Chairman, Chicago Ideas; Mayor, City of Chicago

Meet the people behind Chicago Ideas

Meet social entrepreneurs who are changing the world

Learn more about the Bluhm/Helfand Social Innovation Fellowship

It's a new-age networking group with one goal in mind: bringing together action-minded individuals ready to make connections and drive meaningful change.