Among the many materials in the collection are the following:
500,000 clippings from about 40 community newspapers. The date range is 1956 to 2011. The clippings deal with almost every aspect of Chicago. Topics are as diverse as tuberculosis, visits to Chicago by John Kennedy and Martin Luther King, the elevated system, name changes of prominent Chicago buildings, tow trucks, Halsted Street, the postal service in Chicago and elections.
An extensive collection of ordinances allows historical research into Chicago laws and related issues. Examples include government organization and history, railroad and freight tunnel alignment, reconfiguration of streets and boulevards, public works history, and shoreline information.
- Chicago Municipal Code 1837 to date, including the Building Code
- Chicago Zoning Ordinance 1923 to date
- Journal of the City Council 1858 to date
Community Area Information
The clipping file complements a broad collection of current and historical descriptions, statistics and plans for Chicago communities. Community pamphlets and other information are actively collected to reinforce this part of the collection.
A large and well-indexed collection of Chicago maps of various dates. Examples are: 1939 Land Use Maps, an 1863 map of Cemetery (Lincoln) Park, aerial photos of Englewood and 1990s maps of mortgage defaults and poverty rates in Chicago.
Chicago election results back to 1886 by precinct and ward. Official precinct results are added upon release. The clipping file also has coverage of each election and candidate.
Municipal Finance and Organization
Budgets, financial statements, clippings and other financial information from Chicago and other major local governments. Ordinances, laws and explanations of governmental functions supplement this material.