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NORC at the University Chicago

About

ChicagoSpeaks is where Chicago decision-makers go to understand what Chicagoans really think, how views are changing, and how experiences differ across communities.

ChicagoSpeaks® is a representative survey panel of Chicago residents ages 18 and older that offers timely insights into residents’ thoughts, experiences, and behaviors.

The panel is designed for nonprofits, government agencies, researchers, media organizations, funders, community organizers, and others interested in Chicago’s well-being and ability to thrive. It helps clients understand what Chicagoans think before making a policy decision, editorial framing choice, or philanthropic investment.

Its actionable data help organizations identify differences across communities and over time and improve quality of life for all Chicagoans, particularly those whose voices are often least heard.

ChicagoSpeaks offers an efficient way to gather valuable insights on public policy, social issues, and community sentiment. The result is civic intelligence backed by reliable, timely data you can trust.

Pricing & Deliverables

Are You a Study Participant?

Questions about the survey? Contact us:

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How It Works

Choose from three ways to meet your unique needs.

1.

Custom Surveys 

We’ll work with you to determine the best questions, sample design, and survey length for your research. Using NORC’s proven methodologies, ChicagoSpeaks integrates data from a variety of sources to capture even the smallest subpopulations, ensuring no community or perspective is overlooked.

2.

Quarterly Surveys

Add targeted questions to a recurring omnibus survey of panelists. By sharing the survey with other clients, you can gather insights effectively while keeping costs down. Quarterly surveys are ideal for projects requiring quick results and tracking attitudes and experiences over time.

3.

Recruitment Surveys

Use ChicagoSpeaks to identify and recruit Chicago residents for qualitative research activities such as interviews and focus groups. Recruitment surveys help connect organizations with participants who reflect the perspectives and experiences of the communities they seek to understand.

Experts

Why Choose ChicagoSpeaks

Representation

By actively engaging residents from Chicago’s many neighborhoods, ChicagoSpeaks ensures that all voices are heard, capturing the unique perspectives of each community. Our approach reflects the city’s rich variety of experiences and backgrounds, accurately representing the true makeup of Chicago’s neighborhoods.

Accuracy

NORC’s scientific rigor ensures reliable, actionable insights for decision-makers who require trustworthy information. Many other studies on Chicago communities suffer from biased methodologies or unrepresentative samples, which can lead to an inaccurate understanding of the city. NORC’s approach mitigates these risks, providing a clearer, more authentic picture of Chicago’s communities.

Expertise

ChicagoSpeaks combines the panel-building expertise of AmeriSpeak® with the trusted science of NORC to amplify the voices of Chicago communities. We have a proven track record in delivering high-quality, representative data that ensure ChicagoSpeaks provides reliable insights for impactful decision-making across the city.

VIDEO

Measuring Food Insecurity Across Chicago

In 2026, ChicagoSpeaks supported the Greater Chicago Food Depository in better understanding the prevalence and distribution of food insecurity across the city.

Through quarterly surveys, the Greater Chicago Food Depository tracks small percent changes in hunger and food insecurity. Now equipped with timely data on residents’ perspectives, needs, and lived experiences, the food depository is better positioned to adjust its programming and resource distribution to meet Chicago’s food needs. Hear what it's like to work with ChicagoSpeaks directly from the food depository team in a video about our partnership.

Our Research

Our findings helps Chicago leaders make informed decisions on a range of issues, from public safety to affordability.

Latest Findings

Most Chicagoans Are Financially Stable, but Many Still Rely on Federal Safety Net Programs

Q3 2026

A new ChicagoSpeaks survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago finds that Chicagoans’ financial footing this fall is steady for most, but not especially comfortable.

View Survey Findings

Expert Commentary

New Data Show How Social Factors Intersect with Depression in Chicago

Innovation Brief

By Ashani Johnson-Turbes, Co-Director, ChicagoSpeaks, and Colleagues

Depression isn’t equally common across Chicago. Our ChicagoSpeaks survey data show how symptoms vary by neighborhood, income, race, and age, and explore the implications for addressing mental health locally.

Patients are sitting in a circle and talking about their problems during a group therapy session

Chicagoans See Affordability Pressures in Their Housing Costs & Monthly Bills

Expert View

By Vince Welch, Methodologist, ChicagoSpeaks

How do economic conditions actually register in Chicagoans’ households? Our ChicagoSpeaks survey data show where residents are experiencing financial strain, from paying monthly bills to covering housing costs.

Man and woman sitting on the couch reviewing bills and working on a laptop

Chicagoans Have High Expectations of Business Leaders

Expert View

By Brian Fabes, Co-Director, ChicagoSpeaks

Chicagoans are looking to business leaders to help build a region where everyone can succeed. Data from our ChicagoSpeaks panel uncovers what residents expect and what those expectations could mean for the city’s business community.

Pedestrians crossing the LaSalle Street Bridge in Chicago on a rainy day, with skyscrapers visible in the background.
More ChicagoSpeaks Research

Survey Schedule

Quarterly Surveys

Wave

Questions Due

Field Survey

Client Delivery

Q1 2027

Late February

Mid-March

Early April

Q2 2027

Late May

Mid-June

Early July

Q3 2027

Late August

Mid-September

Early October

Q4 2027

Late October

Mid-November

Early December

With Gratitude to Our Funders

Chicago Community Trust logo
Field Foundation logo
MacArthur Foundation logo
Steans Family Foundation logo

Related Projects

Chicago Public Safety DataHub

An integrated data dashboard supporting efforts to make Chicago the nation’s safest large city

Funder:

Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago & NORC at the University of Chicago

City of Chicago Census & Data Collaboration

NORC helps the City of Chicago advance efforts by ensuring accurate Census counts

Client:

City of Chicago

Chicago in Conversation Poll

Informing a civic dialogue initiative by measuring political division with the ChicagoSpeaks panel

Client:

University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, Chicago Public Media
More ChicagoSpeaks Projects