The Commercial Club addressed many other progressive reform issues: supported street cleaning and paving projects, smoke abatement and sanitation schemes, and the development of city parks and playgrounds.[5] They also endorsed the creation of the Cook County Forest Preserve district.[8]
The club traces its origins back to the 17 founding members of the Commercial Club in 1877.[9] The current chairman is Jennifer F. Scanlon and the current president is Kelly R. Welsh.[10]
Criticism
The Civic Committee of the Commercial Club has often come under criticism for pursuing an unrealistic zeal for cutting the constitutionally protected pensions of state employees in Illinois.[11] Former president
Tyrone C. Fahner stated that some members had talked to bond ratings agencies about lowering Illinois' bond rating to create more pressure for pension reform.[12][13][14]
^"Commercial Club of Chicago". To Protect and Preserve - An Early History of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois. Special Collections Department, Richard J. Daley Library,
University of Illinois at Chicago.
Archived from the original on February 5, 2017. Retrieved February 4, 2017.