Chicago Public Media Launches Local Community Platform

Chicago Public Media began operations on chicago.com on Oct. 7, introducing a digital platform designed for local civic engagement.

The nonprofit, which owns the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ, launched a pilot program covering five specific areas: Avondale, Bronzeville, Edgewater/Andersonville, South Shore, and Evanston. The platform includes an events calendar, user-generated guides to local businesses, a moderated forum, and a weekly newsletter curated by a designated steward. Melissa Bell, the CEO of Chicago Public Media, stated that the organization expects to add more communities during the spring or summer of 2027. The site also aggregates headlines from the Sun-Times, WBEZ, and other news outlets.

More than 4,000 individuals joined waitlists for the initial five communities prior to the launch, according to a news release. Chicago Public Media has not disclosed its current total user count. The platform relies on local paid residents to moderate each community forum. The organization plans to hire a permanent general manager for chicago.com. Bell described the platform as an alternative to for-profit social media, aiming to create non-toxic environments for civic discourse. She noted that users are responding to the human-led nature of the site, which offers a marketplace alternative to platforms like Facebook and Nextdoor.

The technical development of chicago.com was carried out in partnership with the tech nonprofit New_Public. The Chicago Community Trust, a community foundation, owned the inactive chicago.com domain and gifted it to Chicago Public Media. The trust did not disclose the value of this in-kind gift. Bell confirmed that Chicago Public Media has allocated a budget for investing in the platform but did not specify the amount. The nonprofit is currently fundraising to increase its investment capacity. Bell said the organization had a strong financial year, allowing it to reinvest in its operations.

Kathy Herwig, the steward for the Edgewater/Andersonville community, observed that residents are using the platform to share information about events, tradespeople, and restaurants. Users also discuss topics such as gardening and tenant issues. Herwig, who co-moderates a Facebook group for Edgewater with about 11,000 members, said residents are proactively seeking a space for healthy community dialogue that differs from other online venues.

Rashanah Baldwin, the steward for South Shore, reported that users are sharing volunteer opportunities and neighborhood news. One recent discussion centered on an article about a street named for Donda West, the mother of hip-hop artist Ye. Donda West lived in South Shore and served as an English professor at Chicago State University. Baldwin stated that the goal is to foster healthy community engagement beyond common topics like lost pets or stolen packages. She noted that users recognize the platform lacks advertisements and algorithms, removing the need to navigate complex technical structures.

Baldwin previously moderated Englewood Portal and serves as a co-chair of Chicago Public Media’s Sounding Board. She aims to create a space where traditional engagement returns, allowing residents to connect online and transition to offline activities such as bike meetups. She plans to hold in-person meetings with stakeholders, including the local chamber of commerce, at venues like the South Shore Public Library.

The launch of chicago.com occurs while many news organizations face financial pressures. In July, Bell stated that 2026 financial projections indicate Chicago Public Media will be close to break-even. The parent organization of WBEZ acquired the Sun-Times in 2022, converting it from a for-profit to a nonprofit status through a $61 million, five-year pledge from philanthropists and foundations. In 2025, the Sun-Times reduced its news staff by 20% through buyouts. In 2024, Chicago Public Media implemented layoffs that primarily affected WBEZ staff and programming.