On September 26, 2025, Elevated Chicago hosted its first-ever ETOD-for-All event at Experimental Station in Woodlawn. The reimagined take on our traditional symposium blended thoughtful conversations with community celebration centered around the theme of “15-minute neighborhoods.”
Throughout the day, more than 100 community members, policymakers, developers, advocates, and residents gathered to explore what it takes to create more equitable, connected communities. Indoors, guests joined three engaging panel discussions on timely, locally focused ETOD policy issues. Outdoors, we came together for food, music, and family-friendly activities, including double dutch jump rope, footwork and coloring. Elevated Chicago community partners and local organizations also joined us to table about the incredible work they’re doing in their communities.
Watch the highlights
Relive some of the day’s best moments in our highlights video below and browse the photo gallery.
Full panel recordings
Couldn’t make it or want to revisit a session? Watch each panel discussion below.
Panel 1 – Elevated Works: How Technical Support, Predevelopment Funding, and Good Policy Make ETOD Possible
Moderated by Emily LaFlamme, Center for Neighborhood Technology/CNT, with Kate Ansorge, IFF; Oji Eggleston, The Renaissance Collaborative; Dawveed Scully, Managing Deputy Commissioner, City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development
Panel 2 – Strengthening the “T” in ETOD: Public Transit’s Central Role in Equitable Transit-Oriented Development
Moderated by W. Robert Schutz, III, J.D., Active Transportation Alliance, with Illinois State Representative Eva-Dina Delgado, 3rd District; Jacky Grimshaw, Center for Neighborhood Technology/CNT; Nora Leerhsen, Chicago Transit Authority/CTA
Panel 3 – From 95th Street to Logan Square: Community-Driven Planning in Action
Moderated by Juan Sebastian Arias, Elevated Chicago, with Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, Chicago, 26th Ward; Rev. Veronica Johnson, Endeleo Institute; Alderperson Ronnie Mosley, Chicago, 21st Ward; Susan Yanun, Palenque LSNA
Looking ahead
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate and reflect in community together. We hope you had as much fun as we did and look forward to our continued work together to build more equitable and transit-connected communities.
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