CNT delivers game-changing research, tools, and solutions to create sustainable + equitable communities.

Recent Work

Chicago Truck Data Portal

CNT and the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization counted trucks and buses throughout Chicagoland. The counts available through this open... more »

Civic Innovation Hub Phase 2: Community Based Participatory Research

Residents used community-based participatory research to frame questions and plan local improvements more »

Transportation Equity Network

The Transportation Equity Network (TEN) is a coalition of community groups, equitable transportation advocates, civic organizations, and other... more »

Public procurement and contracting: can Milwaukee set new inclusion standards?
August 22, 2025

Local governments hold a tremendous amount of power and responsibility, anchoring nearly all public spending on water operations and capital improvements.  Milwaukee is a model for the nation in many ways, however, access to water-related jobs and contracts for all in the Milwaukee water sector remains an ongoing challenge, according to our new report, Public Procurement and Contracting in Milwaukee's Water Sector. The report highlights that good-faith efforts to share opportunities to... Continue reading »

 

Featured Publication

Bridging Visions, Accelerating Impact: Elevated Works 2025 Impact Report

By CNT and Elevated Works
June 9, 2025

Bridging Visions, Accelerating Impact: Elevated Works ETOD Technical Assistance Program Impact, by CNT and Elevated Chicago, highlights new best practices for publicly funded community development in general and equitable transit-oriented development specifically. With case studies, a comprehensive project list and other features, this report highlights the impact of the City of Chicago’s Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Technical Assistance Program from 2023 to 2025. The City’s $1 million investment in the Elevated Works technical assistance program we coordinated ensured the success of 29 projects, representing $300 million invested in Chicago communities. All 29 projects made meaningful progress, with 7 reaching groundbreaking and 5 more celebrating grand openings. Beyond these individual project milestones, Bridging Visions, Accelerating Impact describes shared successes and challenges for the entire pipeline and describes how we've advocated for systems-level changes to reduce barriers for equitable transit-oriented development in Chicago moving forward. From 2023 to 2025, we partnered with Elevated Chicago , IFF , Metropolitan Planning Council , Rudd Resources...

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Publication Library

 

New sensors are designed to predict flooding in Chicago

Chicago Tribune | August 25, 2025

flooded street- Frank and Mary's Tavern on Chicago's NW Side

As the rain came down in sheets one summer afternoon late last month, Thomas Baranowski was sitting on the back porch of his Garfield Ridge home when his wife, Rose, stepped outside.

“‘Oh come on, you’ve got to see this,’” she told him.

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CNT is engaged by governments, advocates, policy makers, and community groups to apply our expertise to solving problems.

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