It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Tribune Tower gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Chicago, IL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Ali Asmi provided us with clear expectations and went above and beyond them to ensure”
“They were an absolute lifesaver! I needed ongoing care for my dad at the last”
“We are very pleased with our care; our overall experience has been fantastic”
“Ali Asmi provided us with clear expectations and went above and beyond them to ensure my Dad's comfort. He cares about his clients and the safety of his employees.”
“They were an absolute lifesaver! I needed ongoing care for my dad at the last minute as he was released from rehab. They were extremely knowledgeable, and quick to respond to our needs. Ali spoke to my dad and took a genuine interest in what he wanted and made him feel at ease throughout the process. Very satisfied and highly recommend. The balance tracking system was a real fun activity for my dad.”
“We are very pleased with our care; our overall experience has been fantastic”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Grant Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Alinea or visit CharnleyPersky House Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Chicago, IL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Chicago, IL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Chicago, IL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
If the Chicago Cubs (81-62) face the San Diego Padres (78-65) in the National League Wild Card Series, which has long been the matchup penciled in, they will need a plethora of reliable arms to combat the Friars' elite bullpen. Unfortunately, that may not be a luxury this team has come October. The Cubbies' pitching staff is ailing right now, and it just suffered another potentially massive blow. Closer Daniel Palencia is heading to the 15-day injured list with a shoulder strain, per The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma.The team inquired abo...
If the Chicago Cubs (81-62) face the San Diego Padres (78-65) in the National League Wild Card Series, which has long been the matchup penciled in, they will need a plethora of reliable arms to combat the Friars' elite bullpen. Unfortunately, that may not be a luxury this team has come October. The Cubbies' pitching staff is ailing right now, and it just suffered another potentially massive blow. Closer Daniel Palencia is heading to the 15-day injured list with a shoulder strain, per The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma.
The team inquired about the 25-year-old righty's status shortly after his nightmarish outing against the Washington Nationals on Sunday night. Palencia entered the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead, before allowing two home runs, four hits and a walk without even recording an out. Chicago lost the series in Wrigley Field, and now it could lose much more.
Going into this save opportunity, the young Venezuelan owned a stellar 2.12 ERA through his first 51 appearances in 2025. That number ballooned to 3.00 after the shockingly abysmal showing. Fans were searching for an explanation, and perhaps they just got one. The North Side is anxiously awaiting more news on Palencia's condition. Whenever a shoulder issue pops up in September, the chances of seeing that pitcher return to the mound before season's end are often grim.
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Obviously, it is best not to speculate, but the fan base is surely prepared for every scenario. The Cubs are already without Jameson Taillon and trade acquisition Michael Soroka, forcing manager Craig Counsell to lean on Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, rookie Cade Horton and breakout relievers Brad Keller and Caleb Thielbar. They cannot afford to lose any of those hurlers at this point of the year. They must preserve their arms for October.
Barring catastrophe, Chicago will clinch a playoff berth in a 162-game campaign for the first time since 2018. The franchise has not celebrated a postseason series win since 2017. Considering the questions surrounding the NL's best teams, Counsell's group has the potential to create some special memories for its unwavering supporters. If the Cubs are unable to capitalize on those favorable circumstances, regret is bound to permeate the city.
There is no guarantee the path to the top of the Senior Circuit will be as wide open as it is in 2025. Though, completing that route will be far more arduous if their closer is on the shelf. Chicago may have to employ the next-man up approach from here on out.
The Chicago Cubs officially placed closer Daniel Palencia on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain on Monday– a move that was hardly a surprise after leaving Sunday’s game in clear discomfort without retiring a single batter.The 25-year-old right-hander came into the ninth inning of Sunday’s game against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field, looking to hold a 3-1 lead. Instead, he gave up a solo homer, a single, a walk, and then a three-run homer. After giving up a triple on his next pitch, he ben...
The Chicago Cubs officially placed closer Daniel Palencia on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain on Monday– a move that was hardly a surprise after leaving Sunday’s game in clear discomfort without retiring a single batter.
The 25-year-old right-hander came into the ninth inning of Sunday’s game against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field, looking to hold a 3-1 lead. Instead, he gave up a solo homer, a single, a walk, and then a three-run homer. After giving up a triple on his next pitch, he bent over in pain and slapped the mound dirt with his left hand in frustration. The Nationals would go on to win 6-3.
After manager Craig Counsell removed Palencia from the game, he was reluctant to make any definitive declaration as to the reliever’s status. It was widely assumed, however, that Palencia would be headed to the IL.
In a corresponding move, the Cubs recalled righty Ethan Roberts from Triple-A Iowa. Roberts has logged a 6.00 ERA over 9 innings pitched, divided over two separate and brief major league stints.
When asked about Palencia’s status for the rest of the season and postseason, Counsell had no answers on Monday.
“I don’t think I know the answer to that question right now,” Counsell told reporters. “We put him on the injured list. We’re going to take these three days to treat him. And then Friday in Chicago, we’ll probably have a better idea what direction this is going to go.”
Palencia had been a godsend for much of the season, stepping into the closer role shortly after being called up from Triple-A in mid-April, replacing the ineffective Ryan Pressly. And, for about three months, the Cubs couldn’t have asked for a better closer.
Coming into August, he was sporting a brilliant 1.40 ERA with 14 saves.
However, things would change drastically. From August 1 to the present, including Sunday’s cataclysmic outing, Palencia has an 8.03 ERA in 15 outings. He has also given up 21 hits and 5 walks in 12.1 innings pitched over that period.
As it became apparent that he was struggling late in the season of his very first run as a full-time closer, the Cubs’ front office began taking heat for their inability and/or unwillingness to acquire a more experienced closer at the July 31 trade deadline. That heat has grown more intense following the full-on collapse and injury of the young closer.
“And that’s what happens when, at the deadline, you prospect hoard to the degree that you don’t get an established closer on a team at that point that knew ‘we’re probably going to the postseason,’” MLB analyst David Kaplan blasted on his REKAP podcast.
For now, the Cubs have to devise a quick Plan B for the back end of the bullpen as the playoffs approach.
Brad Keller, who’s been excellent all season and hasn’t allowed an earned run since July 12, seems to be the logical choice for high-leverage outings. Behind him, Caleb Thielbar, Drew Pomeranz, and trade deadline acquisition Andrew Kittredge will likely be the most trusted trio. The injured Porter Hodge has also shown added life in his arm since returning to the major league roster.
Injured deadline acquisition Michael Soroka is reportedly close to coming back, and he should boost the depth of the bullpen upon his return. It was also just announced that Javier Assad would be shifted to the bullpen to make room in the starting rotation for the returning Jameson Taillon.
Counsell, though, appears set on a closer-by-committee arrangement and is focused on staying the course despite the loss of Palencia.
“It’s as simple as trying to get 27 outs. And however that lines up, it lines up,” Counsell said. “[The other relievers] don’t have to step up. They just have to continue doing what they’re doing. That’s the answer. The other guys in the bullpen, just keep doing what you’re doing.”
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ATLANTA — Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker was surprised by the soreness and tightness in his calf before the game Tuesday, after days of progress and an intensive session the day before testing the injury.“I was hoping to feel good today and coming in, and hopefully getting in there,” Tucker said before the Cubs’ 6-1 win against the Braves. “But obviously, it didn’t really work out like that. So that part is kind of frustrating.”Instead, the Cubs put Tucker on the 10-day injured list, re...
ATLANTA — Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker was surprised by the soreness and tightness in his calf before the game Tuesday, after days of progress and an intensive session the day before testing the injury.
“I was hoping to feel good today and coming in, and hopefully getting in there,” Tucker said before the Cubs’ 6-1 win against the Braves. “But obviously, it didn’t really work out like that. So that part is kind of frustrating.”
Instead, the Cubs put Tucker on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Saturday. In a corresponding move, they recalled rookie catcher/designated hitter Moises Ballesteros. Manager Craig Counsell said he didn’t know if it would just be a minimum stay.
“I’m hopeful,” Counsell said. “But I was wrong in terms of avoiding the IL. So, we just have to get to a point where he’s not symptomatic and not feeling it doing baseball activities.”
With Tucker sidelined for at least a week, the Cubs will give him several days off before they test it with running drills again. But Tucker said throwing and hitting feel “pretty normal,” so he expects to keep up with baseball activities that don’t aggravate his calf in the meantime.
“It’s really just the running part that bothers me,” he said. “Which, obviously, you’ve got to run after you hit the ball, so just trying to get better at that.”
As the Cubs weighed whether to put Tucker on the IL in the aftermath of his exit from the Cubs’ 4-3 win against the Braves last Tuesday, his symptoms were minor enough that they expected him to be back in the lineup within about a week. And the extra September roster spots meant the Cubs weren’t really playing down a man, compared to the rest of the year.
If they’d put him on the IL on Saturday or before, Tucker could have become eligible to return a few days earlier than is the case now. But the way his injury presented Tuesday, it appeared he’d need another week to recover regardless.
“You want to go out there and help the team win, do what you can out on the field and help everyone around you,” Tucker said. “Now I’ve just got to do that, but without being on the field.”
He watched from the dugout as the Cubs beat the Braves to end a three-game slide.
Rookie right-hander Cade Horton continued his impressive second half by holding the Braves to one run in 6? innings.
The Tucker-less offense had a slow start, with plenty of baserunners but only two runs in the first seven innings. In the end, the Cubs’ persistence paid off.
“I like those games, where you create pressure, pressure, pressure,” Counsell said. “And you’re like, why didn’t we break through? But that’s what constant pressure does, and we did a much better job of that tonight, of more consistent pressure and making the other guy make big pitches, and eventually you get a mistake.”
They loaded the bases in the first inning, but only got one run out of it, on a sacrifice fly from Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Then in the third inning, Crow-Armstrong came through again, with an RBI single. But that was the only run they scored in the inning, despite tallying three hits and a walk.
Finally in the eighth, the Cubs put together a four-run rally. This time after loading the bases, Dansby Swanson drew a run-scoring walk off Braves reliever Alexis Diaz. The Braves brought in right-hander Connor Seabold to face rookie Matt Shaw, who lined a two-run single into center field.
Braves center fielder Michael Harris II’s throw beat Swanson to third, but as Swanson stutter-stepped and made a darting slide into the bag, the ball got away from Nacho Alvarez Jr., allowing Swanson to score as well.
“We’ve got a lot of good other guys to, not fill any place, not do anything other than just hold it down,” Crow-Armstrong said of navigating the loss of Tucker. “... We just keep showing up every day, and just wait on his return. Because if we’re hot when he’s back, then that’s just, that’s more fun.”
This month, enjoy live jazz at a free music festival, tour a Chicago neighborhood with a friendly local, and attend the largest architecture and design exhibition in North America — all without spending a dime.Chicago is bursting with free things to do this September, including plenty of live music, free museum days, festivals and parades, cultural happenings, and more. Start planning your budget trip to Chicago with this round-up of the free things to do and see all month long.1. Catch live jazz at a fr...
This month, enjoy live jazz at a free music festival, tour a Chicago neighborhood with a friendly local, and attend the largest architecture and design exhibition in North America — all without spending a dime.
Chicago is bursting with free things to do this September, including plenty of live music, free museum days, festivals and parades, cultural happenings, and more. Start planning your budget trip to Chicago with this round-up of the free things to do and see all month long.
September in Chicago is an excellent month for jazz lovers. Check out these signature festivals that bring local, national, and international jazz musicians to Chicago for multiple days of free live music.
Explore more in Chicago.
Sept. 19, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 The largest architecture and design exhibition in North America is back in Chicago, featuring projects created by contributors from around the globe at free exhibits and events throughout the city.
The 10th annual opens this month, centered around the Chicago Cultural Center and neighborhood sites with related exhibitions and programming all across the city. This year’s edition will include over 100 projects by architects, artists, and designers from 30 countries — and everything is free and open to the public.
Sept. 6, 2025 Just a train ride away from downtown Chicago, Pullman National Historic Park is a historic enclave built as a planned industrial community in the 1880s. Today, the site honors the area’s fascinating history, striking architecture, and influential role in the early labor movement.
Visit Pullman during the annual Chicago Labor Day Parade and Eddie Fest on Saturday, Sept. 6 for a day full of fun activities. After, explore on your own or join a tour of the grounds and exhibition center. The Visitors Center is currently hosting an exhibit to celebrate the 100th anniversary of first Black labor union in the country.
Sept. 5 – 7, 2025 One of the largest free admission food festivals in the world, Taste of Chicago takes over lakefront Grant Park for one jam-packed weekend this September.
This year, hungry fest-goers will find more than 40 restaurants and food trucks offering their best bites. While you’ll need to pay for food and drink items from the various vendors, there’s also plenty to do without reaching for your wallet.
Sept. 6, 2025International Greeter Day is an annual event that celebrates the Greeter program, a global initiative that pairs locals and visitors for free walks in more than 140 cities around the world.
This year, Chicago Greeter will be hosting free pop-up walks on Saturday, Sept. 6 all around the city led by friendly and knowledgeable locals. Meet in Millennium Park to head out on walks in the following neighborhoods and downtown spots:
Get more details on International Greeter Day 2025.
Sept. 20 – 21, 2025 Head to the lakefront for two days of back-to-back performances during Chicago Live!
This free performing arts festival is the largest event of its kind in the Midwest. Hosted at iconic Navy Pier, Chicago Live! showcases more than 100 acts across five stages, including the world premieres of five newly commission works.
This year’s Chicago Live line-up includes local groups like Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Black Ensemble Theater, Joffrey Ballet, The Second City, Old Town School of Folk Music, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and more.
Sept. 26 – Oct. 5, 2025 The annual World Music Festival is a one-of-a-kind experience that brings hundreds of musicians from all over the world to Chicago for a multi-venue celebration of international music.
Guests can experience the sounds of music from across the globe, with diverse musical acts hailing from Brazil, South Korea, Senegal, and more. Don’t miss top events like Ragamala, an all-night showcase of Indian classical music at the Chicago Cultural Center that’s always a fan favorite.
Multiple dates in September Spend an afternoon wandering through a Chicago museum, where you can dive into fascinating history, provocative contemporary art, and galaxies far, far away.
Here are the upcoming free museum days in Chicago this month for Illinois residents:
Explore more: Mark your calendar for throughout the year.
Sept. 14, 2025 Chicago’s oldest market, Maxwell Street Market dates back more than a century. This outdoor bazaar includes homemade items, resale goods, clothes, jewelry, home goods, and beyond. Dive into the history of this storied community market with free historic walking tours on Sunday.
Art on THE MART is now showing brand new works along the Chicago Riverwalk. The latest edition of the massive waterfront display kicks off on Sept. 11 with a series of abstract works, created through a collaboration with nonprofit Arts of Life. The new program is on view nightly (7:30 to 8 p.m.) throughout the month.
In 1995, Chicago experienced a heatwave that led to the deaths of several hundred people over the course of five days.Recognizing changes in environmental conditions will affect heat events among many other weather events, Chicago decided to conduct a vulnerability assessment to better understand the threat.Chicago conducted a vulnerability assessment that projected future expected temperatures and estimated the magnitude of threat to future heat related mortality. In anticipation of these future threats, Chicago adopted a comp...
In 1995, Chicago experienced a heatwave that led to the deaths of several hundred people over the course of five days.
Recognizing changes in environmental conditions will affect heat events among many other weather events, Chicago decided to conduct a vulnerability assessment to better understand the threat.
Chicago conducted a vulnerability assessment that projected future expected temperatures and estimated the magnitude of threat to future heat related mortality. In anticipation of these future threats, Chicago adopted a comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan.
The city’s first priority under the Chicago Climate Action Plan: Adaptation Strategy Report is to prepare for heat events. Chicago’s approach assessed vulnerability to heatwaves and promoted preparedness and resiliency actions to reduce risk.
Chicago's approach is to promote resiliency through emergency response procedures. Cook County's Hazard Mitigation Plan specifically includes heat-related emergency response procedures. In addition, the plan identifies that its Extreme Weather Operations Plans have scalability to deal with projected changes in environmental conditions.
To prepare for future heat events, Chicago identified urban heat areas of concern, Then, heat island reduction strategies were adopted through a variety of municipal programs that include building codes and green infrastructure projects.
These green infrastructure strategies provide Chicago with co-benefits. By increasing heat event emergency preparedness, stormwater management for heavy precipitation events is also addressed.
| How did they do it? | Applicable EPA Tools |
|---|---|
Conducted vulnerability assessment of future risk from heat events. | Use CDC’s Heat & Health Tracker to identify the communities most at risk and adopt preparedness strategies that target heat vulnerabilities. CDC's Heat & Health Tracker* * (This is a non-EPA resource from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.) |
Chicago Targeted Efforts to Reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect. | EPA’s Urban Heat Island Strategies and EPA Energy Star Cool Roof Standards can be targeted to reduce the urban heat island and adapt to future conditions. Urban Heat Island Strategies EPA Energy Star Cool Roof Standards |
Promoted Preparedness Actions that Would Provide Co-Benefits. | EPA's Green Infrastructure Modeling Tools |
To see how Chicago has modified their Heat Emergency Response Programs to reduce deaths from heatwaves, view Chicago Heat Emergency Response. To view another region’s example of heat event preparedness and planning view Minnesota Heat Health, or the NYC Heat Plan.
Chicago implemented green infrastructure projects that would provide both heat reduction and stormwater management benefits. for another example of how resiliency strategies can promote mutual benefits view Salt Lake City Air Quality.
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