University village

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he University Village Association (UVA) welcomes you to Chicago’s historic Near West Side community.

Founded in 1981, UVA is a community development organization dedicated to the development and enhancement of our community by supporting programs that address commercial, residential, institutional, economic and cultural needs.

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As the Near West Side community continues to grow so does UVA and its service area. As a delegate agency of the city of Chicago, UVA services the area bounded roughly by the Eisenhower Expressway, 16th Street, Western Avenue and the Chicago River. Our location neighbors Downtown Chicago and is readily accessible by all modes of public transportation, taxi and the Eisenhower, Dan Ryan and Kennedy Expressways.

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), which anchors the community to the east, is a center for higher learning as well as culture, athletics and academic excellence. On the west side is the Illinois Medical District (IMD), home to major institutions that provide medical services, education and research. Those major institutions are Rush University Medical Center, University of Illinois Medical Center, John H. Stroger, Jr. (Cook County) Hospital and the Jesse Brown Veteran’s Administration West Side Hospital.

These institutions along with the Chicago Technology Park provide the core to one of the nation’s largest medical districts.

For over a century, immigrants seeking fortune and new opportunities brought their rich heritage to Chicago and settled in what would become to be known as the Little Italy neighborhood. Italians, Greeks, French, Jews, Hispanics and African-Americans all came to Taylor Street to establish businesses and create a new life for themselves. Thanks to their efforts and vision, today many Chicago area residents can trace their family history to the Near West Side.

Beautiful parks and museums, world class medical and educational institutions, nationally renowned restaurants, retail businesses, exceptional residential housing, diverse places of worship and many other opportunities welcome visitors, new residents and businesses to our community. University Village Association and its members are proud to call the Near West Side our home.

The University Village Community derives its name from the adjacent learning institutions.

John Walsh, President University Village Association

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Welcome Introduction History Location & Transportation National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame Shopping Dining: Pompei Feature

This is a Village Profile® Publication created and produced for the University Village Association 1453 West Taylor Street • Chicago, IL 60607 Phone: 312-243-3773 • Fax: 312-243-4684 Website: www.uvalittleitaly.com Email: info@uvalittleitaly.com Copyright© 2013 VillageProfile.com, inc.® 33 N. Geneva St., Elgin, IL 60120 • 800-600-0134 www.villageprofile.com® Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information in this publication. The Association and VillageProfile.com® assume no responsibility for misinformation. Please contact the Association with any additions or corrections. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the Association and VillageProfile.com® is prohibited.

Festa Italiana Recreation Lodging Residential Living UIC: The Forum Business & Industry: Illinois Medical District Healthcare: Rush University Medical Center Education

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niversity Village, located on Chicago’s Near West Side, is a vibrant multigenerational and multi-cultural neighborhood. Families, students, professionals and retirees alike merge to form a strong sense of community. Immigrants have been settling in the area for over a century. Italians, Greeks, French, Jews, Hispanics, African-Americans, Asians and many others have all brought unique flavors to the neighborhood. These diverse cultures and customs are celebrated while new opportunities are embraced.

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Because the University Village community is ideally located with easy accessibility to public transportation and major expressways, travel for work or play is simple and hassle-free.

Eclectic and chic boutiques, restaurants and bars—often family owned—line the area

he city of Chicago was incorporated in 1835, and University Village, also known as Little Italy, was one of its original neighborhoods. As the oldest ItalianAmerican neighborhood in the city, it has hosted a variety of immigrants: German, Irish, Scandinavian, Greek, Polish, Russian and more. Because of the neighborhood’s proximity to the railroad center, river and lake, it became a port of entry for people arriving to Chicago and the Midwest. As the area continued to grow, more ethnicities including African-American, Asian and Hispanic groups immigrated to Chicago. This increased the vitality and diversity of the neighborhood.

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Throughout the years, the area has continued to develop and evolve. The University of Illinois at Chicago has expanded in the area, 4

along with trees and beautiful parks, creating an idyllic atmosphere. Additionally, many prominent learning institutions and the world’s largest medical district border the area.

An abundance of housing options in University Village are available, as are many cultural attractions and year-round recreational offerings and events. Local businesses are flourishing and offer a great variety of goods and services to the community, while downtown Chicago amenities are just minutes away. With its unique offerings, rich history, small community feel and urban conveniences, University Village is an extraordinary neighborhood that residents are proud to call home.

as have medical colleges and research institutions. People from all over have come to work and study, and many choose to reside in University Village. The sense of community first established is still flourishing and growing with a continuous influx of vibrant newcomers.

The people of University Village are committed to preserving old traditions and embracing new ones. Together, they’ve built churches, gardens, hospitals and community organizations while supporting businesses and cultural, athletic and artistic endeavors.

Although much has changed in University Village, the past remains, forever intermingled with a promising future.

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ll of the Chicagoland area is at the fingertips of University Village residents due to its ideal location near a multitude of transportation options, from automobile and bus routes to commuter rail and air travel. This growing Chicago neighborhood, which also includes the popular Little Italy community, is situated within Chicago’s Near West Side. University Village encompasses UIC and is bordered by the expansive Illinois Medical District to the west, the Pilsen community to the south, and the Dan Ryan (I-90/94) and Eisenhower (I290) Expressways to the east.

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The neighborhood is a stone’s throw away from Downtown Chicago and has easy accessibility to its surrounding communities via several means of transport. University Village is situated merely minutes from a handful of highway networks, including the Eisenhower (I-290), the Stevenson (I-55), and the Dan Ryan and Kennedy Expressways (both I-90/94). All of these major arteries provide quick ground travel to Chicago’s airports, major attractions, big city conveniences and further main thoroughfares that wind throughout the city.

bus and rail routes. CTA, the country’s second-largest public transportation system, offers two nearby routes. The #8 Halsted runs north south, while the #12 Roosevelt travels east west. Another option for bus travel is the Greyhound Bus Station, located just east of University Village on Harrison Street.

CTA’s commuter rail operates the Blue Line – UIC Halsted/Racine/Loomis, providing quick train transportation from 54th/Cermak to Forest Park, as well as a direct route to O’Hare International Airport. And its Orange Line – Halsted offers links to both the Loop and Midway International Airport. Metra rail service is also available within reach at the BNSF-Halsted Station, with the route stretching from Union Station Chicago to and from the suburb of Aurora.

For those traveling to and from the UIC campus, bus routes are available. The Intercampus Day and Night Bus Routes run Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., while the Weekend Intercampus Bus Route operates each weekend from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. UIC also affords the Semester Express Route, which runs Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Public transportation is available through the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) countless

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evoted to the preservation of experiences of its inductees and the education of generations to come, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame has become a true staple. George Randazzo originally founded the organization as the Italian American Boxing Hall of Fame in 1977, with an aim to support a struggling Catholic youth program. With a growing collection of boxing photographs and memorabilia, Randazzo arranged for a fundraising dinner to honor 23 past Italian American boxing world champions, which drew an impressive number of prominent boxers and celebrities.

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With great success, Don Ponte, a local businessman and confidante, inspired Randazzo to establish a Hall of Fame in honor of every Italian American athlete across the gamut. The NIASHF was instituted just one year later, with a induction ceremony recognizing such sport greats as: Lou Ambers, Gino Marchetti, Dom DiMaggio, Joe DiMaggio, Eddie Arcaro, Charlie Trippi and the late Vince Lombardi.

As NIASHF popularity swelled, it relocated from Elmwood Park to Arlington Heights in

1988. A decade later, Randazzo requested that Jerry Colangelo, the Chairman/CEO of the Phoenix Suns and 1994 NIASHF inductee, serve as the Chairman of a new, zealous Hall of Fame to be located in Chicago’s Little Italy community. In 2000, the new amenity was dedicated as “The Jerry Colangelo Center” in recognition of Colangelo’s extreme dedication and leadership in making this a reality.

Today, this nonprofit educational consortium has immortalized over 200 inductees, and has amassed over $6 million pledged for scholarships and a variety of charitable objectives. The collection has grown immensely over the years and continues to this day.

1431 West Taylor Street • www.niashf.org

ADDITIONAL SURROUNDING ATTRACTIONS

Chicago Cultural Center 78 E Washington St. Chicago, IL 60602 312-744-6630 www.chicagoculturalcenter.org

John G. Shedd Aquarium 1200 S Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605 312-939-2438 www.sheddaquarium.org

Adler Planetarium 1300 S Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605 312-922-STAR www.adlerplanetarium.org

Field Museum 1400 S Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605 312-922-9410 www.fieldmuseum.org

Navy Pier 600 E Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 312-791-6000 www.navypier.com

Art Institute of Chicago 111 S Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60603 312-443-3600 www.artic.edu

Jane Addams Hull-House Museum 800 S Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60607 312-413-5353 www.hullhouse.org

United Center 1901 W Madison St. Chicago, IL 60612 www.unitedcenter.com

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etail opportunities are alive and growing in University Village. Little Italy’s Taylor Street is the area’s burgeoning, pedestrian-friendly business district, lined with a multitude of retail and service establishments and diverse eateries.

While there are currently plenty of retailers to meet each shopper’s different needs, there are ample opportunities for retail development along this tree-lined, 12-block commercial corridor that spans from Ashland Avenue to Morgan Street.

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For a great number of years, Taylor Street was divided into east and west ends due to the location of the Jane Addams public housing complex. Now, with the razing of those

buildings leading to the development of Roosevelt Square, Taylor Street’s retail area is being revived and expanded. Continuing enhancement of the district’s open spaces, streetscape and buildings – keeping in mind the area’s Italian heritage and tradition – are creating a significant retail area, drawing in not only residents but visitors from all over the Chicagoland area as well.

While in the neighborhood, don’t forget to check out University Village Marketplace, formerly known as famous Maxwell Street Market. This flourishing commercial district along Halsted Street offers an array of new shops teeming with a variety of goods, with many affording a number of services.

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hat makes a great restaurant is great food. But restaurateur Ralph Davino sees more. As owner of the popular Italian restaurant, Pompei, Davino offers plenty of great food, but more importantly, the restaurant offers a sense of family, backed by 100 years of tradition.

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Pompei began in 1909 when Davino’s grandfather, a baker from near Naples, Italy, opened a bakery on the ground floor of a sixflat on South Loomis. The business took its name from the neighborhood’s Our Lady of Pompeii Church. The family settled in, with Davino’s grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, and cousins occupying the four flats above the bakery and adjacent tavern.

“Everyone worked for my grandfather,” Davino remembers. Eventually, following old-world tradition, the business was passed down to the oldest uncle. Then in 1984, Ralph took over the small, counter-service business.

“We had two tables,” Davino says. He moved the business to West Taylor, where he could seat 52. “I thought it would be too big, but as soon as we opened, it was already too small.” He credits this boom in part to the location on a bigger street, but also says that word of mouth about Pompei was spreading. In 1991 he moved to the present location at 1531 West Taylor, increasing capacity to 240, equipped with a large outdoor patio and a party room that seats 100, and is popular for private events.

The restaurant does outside catering as well.

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Word spread, and the business demanded expansion. Pompei branches popped up all over Chicagoland, with two Little Pompei restaurants in the Loop. But while the expansion was exciting, it became difficult for Davino to be everywhere. Concentrating on the original location, the other properties were sold off, with the agreement that Davino would serve as a consultant for the new owners.

“Everything’s the same in all the restaurants,” he explains. “The same recipes, the same family traditions.”

Davino knows that much of the Taylor Street restaurant’s success stemmed from his location.

Nearby Pompei has become a popular place for medical and dental students from Rush University, as well as the families of patients seeking a friendly, homey place to eat. The restaurant also draws students from the University of Illinois, area firefighters and police officers. “People find their way here by word of mouth,” he says. “When a place is there for a hundred years, people know about it.”

But even more important than location, Davino believes, is the high level of customer attention provided. There is no wait staff at Pompei—orders are placed at the counter and the kitchen staff brings out the food. Davino calls this type of service “casual.” This casual familiarity can be found in the restaurant’s atmosphere: regulars are greeted by name and tableside conversations with the staff are common. Pompei is a place where regular groups meet and if those groups request Davino prepare something not on the menu, he is happy to comply.

“It’s family here,” he stresses, a theme that is carried through the decoration as well—one long wall boasts photographs of past family members, who contributed to Pompei.

“Everybody in my family worked here,” Davino

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“What a gem…the food is down-to-earth, simply prepared… always reasonably priced.”

- Chicago.CitySearch.com “This Little Italy outpost remains the best, proffering reliable Tuscan/Roman style treasures in a warm room that always hums along.”

- Chicago Magazine

“Uncomplicated food, reasonable prices.

It has worked all over town, and it seems to be working here.”

- Phil Vettel, Chicago Tribune 1400 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607 Open Monday through Saturday for Lunch Dinner served Daily Private Party Rooms Available

For reservations, party inquiries and carry-out call (312) 829-2828 For more information about us and our other locations visit us online at www.miafrancesca.com

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FUN WITH FOOD AT POMPEI The Pompei Restaurant is proud of its commitment to tradition, but being traditional doesn’t mean never changing. Davino enjoys creating new dishes, and his experimentation has led to a unique creation called “pizzicato.”

of pizza dough. He did by wrapping lunchmeat and cheese inside pizza dough in a big loaf glazed with egg and sliced like a sandwich. Today’s version comes in more than 30 different varieties.

Davino explains the origin of this tasty, unusual treat, saying that in 1987 he received visitors from Eckrich foods, who wanted him to come up with something new that would feature their lunchmeat.

He called it pizza strudel because “it looked like a strudel.” But his mother, Marie, didn’t care for the non-Italian name, and thus was born the “pizzicato.” “I didn’t like that name,” Davino admits.

“I still think it looks like a strudel, and in my store it’s still called a pizza strudel.”

The restaurant had a bakery display counter, and while considering what he could do, Davino happened to notice a cheese coffee cake and began to wonder if he could make something similar out

Strudel, pizzicato — How many ways can you say “delicious?”

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mmigrants to the United States have always experienced a duality, fervently embracing their new homeland while attempting to maintain traditions of their cultural heritage.

Nowhere in Chicago is this more evident than in Little Italy. Despite growing urbanization, assimilation and suburban draw, a strong sense of Italian community still exists, still beating with an Italian heart. And at no time does that heart beat stronger than during the Taylor Street Festa Italiana.

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Festa Italiana was established to celebrate the strong traditions brought to the Italian-American community with the first influx of immigrants in the mid-1800s. Since that time, the neighborhood has shifted in many directions, and the once poor area has become revitalized by the expansion around it. Taylor Street has seen its own revitalization, with treelined streets creating a nostalgic neighborhood ambiance that welcomes visitors. Despite changes, many establishments on Taylor Street welcome the Festa as the chance to share their unique delights.

The Festa began about 20 years ago, but area demolition and construction, including a complete makeover of Taylor Street, caused the event to be put on hold for 15 years. In 2003, Chris Provenzano became the new Executive Director of the University Village Association and saw the importance of such a celebration.

Finally, in 2007, the Festa returned with a loud “bravo,” filling the air with the sounds of celebration. According to Provenzano, the Festa has continued to grow in size and popularity each year.

Businesses along Taylor Street dove into the spirit, taking an active part in the event with vendor sites and special products. One such 12

business is Beviamo. Owner Josh Fessett credits the Festa for bringing in people to see what the neighborhood has to offer. “It definitely has been a hit for our neighborhood, and it gets bigger and bigger every year,” he says.

Once again, along with great food, the Festa presents traditional Italian entertainment as well as mainstream bands. Entertainment includes local performers along with nationally recognized talent.

In addition, Provenzano is especially excited about new child-friendly activities that will appeal to families.

“We plan to add such things as face painting and educational activities, along with more interactive sporting events,” he says, adding that organizers are also looking to possibly add an art tent to display the work of local artists.

This year’s event will see the return of bocce, also known as lawn bowling; an activity that has been a big hit each year.

Provenzano points out festivals are vital to help people remember their roots as well as let others experience the cultural and historical significance of Italian Americans and their contribution to the city. Festa Italiana offers a way for people who grew up in the area and moved away to come back and remember for a while that sense of “home.”

“The history is here, and the identity is here,” he says. “Festa Italiana is a celebration of that history.”

Taylor Street Festa Italiana is held annually in the month of August. For more information, please visit www.festaitalianachicago.com

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niversity Village’s locale puts it within close distance of all of Chicago’s exceptional recreational opportunities, with ample parkland and the shores of Lake Michigan all within easy reach. Take a bike ride and enjoy the cool lake breeze, or spend a day relaxing on one of the city’s beautiful beaches.

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Within a short walking distance of Taylor Street, University Village residents can access a handful of popular community parks utilized by thousands for both active and passive diversions.

There are several parks in the area, all of which are maintained by the Chicago Park District.

Skinner Park offers ball fields, a playground and spray pool to cool off on a hot day.

Sheridan Park is equipped with a community center featuring an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium/assembly hall, six classrooms, four baseball diamonds, a tennis court and a play lot. Miller Play Lot and Garibaldi Playground Park have highly utilized playgrounds and Garibaldi offers a winding path, ideal for a leisurely stroll. Fosco Park serves area residents with a playgroud area, fitness center, gymnasium and swimming facility, which has a water playground for children. There are always an array of programs and activities available for all ages these and many other Chicago Park District locations.

Residents can also benefit from the recreational opportunities, which include a pool, exercise classes, workout equipment and more, made available at the UIC Chicago Circle Center on Halsted Street or the Chicago Illini Union on Wolcott Avenue.

The community’s senior population can take advantage of the array of activities offered through the Chicago Department on Aging Central/West Senior Center located at Ogden and Harrison. Stepping classes, tai chi, wellness programs, special trips and events, and educational offerings are just some of the diversions available at this facility.

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he University Village community is situated just minutes from downtown Chicago and easily accessible from all modes of transportation. Because of this logistical strength lodging within the community and along its peripheral provide many different lodging options for visitors. If you are looking to stay within the community

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you will find the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Chicago-Downtown located just four blocks east of the UIC campus on Harrison St. and the Marriott at Medical District/UIC located just across the street from Rush University Medical Center and the Illinois Medical District on Ashland Ave.

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“Your University Village Neighborhood Hotel” 506 W. Harrison Street (corner of Harrison & Canal)

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iving in University Village is extremely desirable, and housing options make it easy to find the ideal home for any lifestyle. Architecture varies from classic brick or stone buildings to newer houses built with a vintage flair. Many older homes have been rehabbed and transformed into modern luxury apartments and condominiums.

Single-family homes, new townhouses and condo developments offer a plethora of amenities—including covered parking— while co-existing beautifully among traditional structures and old-world ambiance.

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Scores of community parks and bike paths are within walking distance as are coffee shops, restaurants and other places for relaxation, recreation, culture, education and fun. A range of public and private primary and secondary schools provide children with quality educational experiences. Prominent universities offer scores of higher learning opportunities, and numerous healthcare facilities are available. First-class daycare centers, the sounds and smells of Taylor Street restaurants, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and the Theodore Roosevelt branch of the

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Chicago Public Library are conveniently close.

Because the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Illinois Medical District border the neighborhood and employ so many people, there is a great demand for quality housing in a safe and friendly neighborhood.

Furthermore, many people prefer to be part of a small community while still having access to the many opportunities afforded by a large city. This, in addition to being a long established, welcome home for immigrants and their descendants, has made this closeknit community extremely popular.

University Village is truly a great place to live, visit, work and play.

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IC officials welcomed the opening of The Forum in 2008, a medium-sized venue on campus. While the Student Center rooms hold 800-900 and the Pavilion holds about 10 times that amount, there was a serious need of a medium-sized venue on campus to accommodate those events that called for an average-size space.

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“In addition [to this need for space], we wanted to have another kind of magnet to attract both the campus and the community to the developing South Campus and University Village,” explained Robert Rouzer, director of UIC Student Centers. Rouzer goes on to say, “The variety of events that take place in The Forum will help to introduce many members of the campus and the surrounding area to all that we have to offer in University Village, further contributing to the life and success of the development.”

The more than 22,000-square-foot facility boasts of great flexibility in its design. The 120-by-180-foot main room can be divided into two spaces, with plans to eventually be able to offer three spaces. According to Rouzer, the main room is equipped with 1,200 auditorium seats, and the ability to close up and store seats in a six-foot-deep space. With open seats The Forum allows an additional 1,800 seats, providing space for up to 3,000. With the seats in storage, the space can accommodate a capacity up to 1,000. The main room is equipped with a 32-by-60-foot portable stage and a professional concert quality sound system, a theatrical lighting system and large screen data projectors. The Forum houses two large conference rooms, each outfitted with projection equipment, sound availability and connectivity that can be broken down into six smaller spaces.

Everything from wedding receptions and commencement ceremonies to concerts and

conventions can be held within this modern facility. “We hope that it will be used by University event planners, as well as community event planners,” said Rouzer.

THE PAVILION The UIC Pavilion is one of the Midwest’s finest arenas. In its brief history, it has hosted many special and one-of-a-kind programs. The UIC Pavilion hosts concerts, UIC sports, professional sports, meetings, festivals and corporate, civic and cultural events. Plus, the venue is home to the UIC Flames Men’s and Women’s Basketball program and UIC Flames Women’s Volleyball. Available for rental throughout the year, the Pavilion’s varied programs target the greater metropolitan Chicago community.

Located on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago, just minutes from the Loop, its location and ease of access are among the UIC Pavilion’s best features. There is ample parking available at and near the Pavilion. Public transportation directly from O’Hare Airport, downtown and all parts of the city will bring you within one-half block of the Pavilion.

For more information on services and rates, please call us at 312-413-5700.

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he Illinois Medical District (IMD) is one of the biggest metropolitan healthcare, education, research and technology districts in the United States. It consists of four major medical centers, member institutions, district programs and the Chicago Technology Park.

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The IMD is situated on 560 acres of Chicago’s Near West Side. It houses well over 2,000 hospital beds, has 20,000 employees and receives 75,000 visitors on a daily basis. As the nation’s largest urban medical district and the state’s largest biotechnology/medical complex, it creates approximately $220 million in annual research and is an economic generator for statewide biotechnology. The IMD also houses approximately 20 up-and-coming technologybased companies.

The IMD generates $3.3 billion in economic activity along with 50,000 jobs. Additionally, $80 million in state taxes, $24 million in annual local taxes and $2 billion in direct and indirect employment compensation are created as a result of the district’s institutions and activities.

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Major medical centers are the Rush University Medical Center, University of Illinois Medical Center, the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Member institutions include public safety and emergency response services, medical institutions, health clinics, vocational and education services for individuals with disabilities, schools and senior services.

District programs consist of BiTmaP, an online training program that certifies information technology professionals in the area of bioinformatics; Chicago-ITEC, which is part of a statewide network that assists companies with business development services; the

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District Member Council, which serves as a medium to communicate and coordinate District-wide activities and to keep member institutions apprised of major initiatives; and the District Security Group, which is a collaboration of the 12 law enforcement and security services functioning within the District.

The Chicago Technology Park (CTP) is located on 56 acres within the Illinois Medical District.

The CTP assists with the development of technology companies and provides them with a fully equipped infrastructure, university resources, internship programs and business development services.

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More than 275 people work for companies within the Park, and over 25 businesses have moved out into the local economy. In the past four years, the average growth rate for these companies has been 200 percent, and employment has gone up from 80 to nearly 300 over the past five years.

The Chicago Technology Park is made up of the Research Center, graduate facilities and other facilities. The Research Center is the CTP’s Life Science Incubator. It consists of 56,000 square feet and enables tenants to rent labs of varying sizes at low costs. Graduate facilities include Enterprise Center I, which is 20,000 square feet of combined laboratory, cGMP manufacturing and office space; Enterprise Center II, which consists of 15,000 square feet, serves as a graduate facility and houses Charles River Laboratories Inc. and Maroon Biotech; and Enterprise Suites, which is a 2,000-foot-space that provides administrative and business offices for CTP companies. Enterprise suites are also home to

BiTmaP. Other facilities include the Life Sciences Accelerator, Tech 2000 and Litholink Corporation.

Facility resources provided by the CTP include a managed T-1 communications line and a 10and 15-person conference room with multimedia and teleconferencing facilities.

They also offer a business center, loading dock and storage area, parking and 24-hour security.

Laboratory hardware such as glass washers and dryers, autoclaves, cold rooms and a darkroom are provided as well. Programs include the Job Bank program, internships, networking sessions and a bioinformatics program.

Businesses greatly benefit by relocating to the Illinois Medical District/the Chicago Technology Park. Besides being very costeffective for new business, the District provides access to many resources, including state-ofthe-art medical institutions, leading medical schools and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

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n eminent role in Chicago’s healthcare community for more than 170 years, Rush University Medical Center today is a leader in patient care, education, research and community service with more than 8,000 employees. The nonprofit, academic medical center encompasses a 664-bed hospital, serving adults and children, including the

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Johnston R. Bowman Health Center, which provides medical and rehabilitative care to older adults and people with short- and longterm disabilities. The university includes one of the premier medical colleges in the Midwest, one of the country’s top-rated nursing colleges, and graduate programs in allied health, health systems management and biomedical research. In addition, the Medical Center conducts more than 70 residency and fellowship programs in medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties.

In January 2012, Rush opened a new 376-bed hospital building, known as the Tower, which received a LEED Gold certification. Rush’s renovation also includes Rush’s Orthopedic Building, which opened in 2010, and the ongoing campus wide implementation of an electronic medical record system, enhancing patient care and safety.

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A unique combination of research and patient care has earned Rush national rankings in 10 of 16 specialty areas in U.S.News & World Report’s 2011 America’s Best Hospitals, among other recognitions of our quality of care and accreditations. Our nurses are at the forefront of our efforts to provide quality care, receiving the first Magnet status in Illinois, the highest honor in nursing, three times for making outstanding the standard. Rush is proud to be the preferred hospital and home to the team physicians for both the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox. Rush University is home to one of the first medical colleges in the Midwest and one of the nation’s top-ranked nursing colleges, as well as graduate programs in allied health, health systems management and biomedical research. The Medical Center also offers many highly selective residency and fellowship programs in medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties. Rush gives students the opportunity to learn from world-renowned instructors who practice what they teach.

Rush also maintains a strong commitment to the community. Many generously donate their time and skills, including numerous health outreach projects in which Rush collaborates with neighborhood clinics, churches, schools and other organizations to provide health screenings and vital health information for the underserved.

Rush’s education and research endeavors, community service programs and relationships with other hospitals are dedicated to enhancing excellence in patient care for the diverse communities of the Chicago area – now and in the future.

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he University Village community provides some of the best educational opportunities within the City of Chicago.

Our community offers educational opportunities from pre-school and continuing all the way up to graduate studies. You will find more than 10 public and private schools in the University Village community including St. Ignatius College Prep, UIC College Prep, Andrew Jackson Language Academy, STEM Magnet Academy, Galileo Scholastic Academy, Chicago Hope Academy, Children of Peace School, Washington Irving Elementary School and Smyth Elementary School.

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The community also boasts the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) for undergraduate and graduate studies along with two renowned medical schools: Rush University Medical Center and University of Illinois Medical Center. The University Village community’s educational choices provide many opportunities for students, families and job seekers.

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www.uvalittleitaly.com

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ome of the most stunning and historic churches are situated in University Village. Rich in history and cornerstones of the community, many of these places of worship have existed for over 100 years.

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Many well-known and historic places of worship in Chicago’s University Village neighborhood include Notre Dame de Chicago Church, the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, Holy Family Church, St. Francis of Assisi, First Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, the Church of the Epiphany, the First Baptist Congregational Church and the Levin Hillel Center at UIC, which is a part of the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.

Several other places of worship reflecting a range of faiths and denominations are within a short distance from University Village. They not only offer regular services and religious education, but they also provide a variety of services and encourage their members to volunteer in the community and beyond.

hillel@uic.edu

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ABC Bank .................................................................. 19

Old Orland Insurance Agency Inc. ............................. 18

AccuVISION................................................................. 1

Pacific Global Bank.................................................... 21

De Pasada ................................................................. 10

Rush University Medical Center ................................ 23

Drum & Monkey........................................................ 11

Saint Ignatius College Prep ....................................... 25

Essanny Show It .......................................... Back Cover

The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii ........................... 27

Express Grill ................................................................ 9

St. Barbara Catholic School....................................... 24

Francesca's on Taylor.................................................. 9

Sweet Maple Cafe.............................. Inside Back Cover

Holiday Inn & Suites.................................................. 15

VillageProfile.com, inc................................................28

Le Peep Cafe & Grill .................................................. 11

West Loop Auto Body....................... Inside Front Cover

Notre Dame de Chicago Catholic Parish .................... 27

William & Mildred Levine Hillel Center ...................... 26

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