CHICAGOLAND OZ FUTURE FORUM BUILDS MOMENTUM FOR OPPORTUNITY ZONES 2.0

November 03, 2026

The Chicagoland Opportunity Zones Consortium brings together nearly 30 nonprofit, philanthropic, government, and private-sector organizations working together to focus on advancing access to capital for community and economic development in Opportunity Zones located in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Launched in 2020 and incubated from the Chicago Community Loan Fund, the Consortium offers a collective model for collaboration.

The Consortium advances its mission through three core priorities:
• Connect investment-ready opportunities with OZ investors through facilitated matchmaking.
• Provide education, technical assistance, and market insight to stakeholders navigating the OZ landscape.
• Serve as a trusted hub for data, information, and resources related to OZ activity in Chicago and Cook County.

In 2025, the Consortium began planning a one-day convening for September 28, 2026, designed to position the Chicagoland market ahead of the January 2027 launch of Opportunity Zones 2.0.
Experience has shown the Consortium that progress grows from relationships, capital follows trust, and trust is built through connection. Connection begins when people come together to share ideas, align interests, and explore possibilities. This was the goal for the Chicagoland OZ Future Forum event. The power of convening and connecting to build meaningful relationships can help pave the way to capital access in support of impactful opportunities in under-resourced Opportunity Zones.

The convening was designed to begin the positioning of the Chicagoland area to capture OZ equity to address local gaps in accessing private equity capital for high-impact community and economic development projects and business growth.

With the Opportunity Zones incentive permanent on a rolling 10-year cycle beginning January 1, 2027, the Forum’s late-third-quarter timing was intentional: it created an early opportunity for Chicagoland to build visibility, strengthen partnerships and prepare to capture OZ 2.0 investment.

The program drew local, regional and national participants interested in learning about the Chicagoland OZ marketplace, including philanthropy, project sponsors, community developers, and business leaders. Speakers included area leaders from government, community development financial institutions, non-profit organizations, businesses, economic development agencies, local anchor developments, community development entities, and nationally-recognized Opportunity Zones experts and investors. Their perspectives gave attendees fresh insights, valuable connections, and new opportunities for collaboration as the region prepares for OZ 2.0.

Held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s conference center, the Forum attracted more than 140 registrants. Support from several sponsors helped the Consortium deliver a well-received event, and an important first step toward ensuring that Chicagoland is ready for Opportunity Zones 2.0 and the role the incentive can play in supporting meaningful community development.