We were proud to sponsor the 2026 @wirealtors Housing Summit Series, where REALTORS® and housing partners came together to share timely market insights and practical solutions for expanding housing opportunities. Our very own Sharon Gorrell, AVP of External Affairs, joined WRA President and CEO Tom Larson and community development partners Tony Pharo of Oneida County Economic Development Corporation and Carol Keen of Impact Seven for an engaging discussion. Thank you to everyone who contributed their perspectives and shared commitment to expanding housing opportunities across Wisconsin. #AffordableHousing #CommunityDevelopment #HousingSupply

Our strong third-quarter performance reflects the power of our cooperative model and our commitment to supporting member liquidity needs. With net income of $145 million, we're continuing to invest in affordable housing and community development initiatives across Illinois and Wisconsin. Watch the highlights below and read the full announcement here: bit.ly/4zJoGky

We’re pleased to share that we’ve awarded $5 million through our 2026 Community First® Developer Program, in partnership with our members, to expand the pipeline of real estate developers advancing affordable housing across Illinois and Wisconsin. This year’s funding will support an estimated 95 fellowships and internships across 27 organizations, providing emerging housing professionals with hands-on experience while helping organizations build the capacity to advance affordable housing across our region. Read the full announcement: bit.ly/4sh1hEu

We are seeking qualified partners with demonstrated expertise in IT advisory and delivery services to support our evolving business and technology needs. Interested providers are encouraged to learn more on our website and submit their information through our vendor interest form: bit.ly/3VQuSsx

Older homes often need investment, but financing those improvements can be a challenge. In this Banking on Connections clip, Laurie Goodman of the @UrbanInstitute explores what recently released research reveals about home improvement lending, and the barriers borrowers can face when financing rehabilitation. Listen to the full episode here: bit.ly/4hAX3mi

Once you close on a home, the expenses don't end there — from property taxes, to insurance, and unexpected repairs, homeowners need a plan. In a recent episode of Banking on Connections, Sharon Legenza, Executive Director for @HousingActionIL, talks about the crucial housing counseling education that can help new homeowners prepare for unforeseen financial hurdles after they've moved in. Listen to the full episode to learn more about the importance of housing counseling and how FHLBank Chicago supports these services through its Community First® Housing Counseling Resource Program: bit.ly/4rw04ZF

One year after breaking ground, Trailview Cottages is making a meaningful impact in Hayward, Wisconsin. Supported by a $2 million Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant from FHLBank Chicago, the 40-home community is now fully occupied, providing much-needed affordable housing alongside on-site education and hands-on workforce training through @NorthwoodTechWI. The development was made possible through collaboration with FHLBank Chicago members @ImpactSevenInc, @IFFcdfi, and @Cinnaire, along with local partners working to address housing and workforce needs in northwest Wisconsin. Learn more about the project and its impact on the community: bit.ly/4yQIkex

Preserving existing homes is an important part of the housing supply conversation in Illinois and Wisconsin. In the latest episode of Banking on Connections, Laurie Goodman of the @urbaninstitute discusses newly released research examining the region's owner-occupied housing supply, including the effects of aging housing stock and the need to preserve existing homes. Listen to the full episode here: bit.ly/4hAX3mi

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions a person can make, and having the right guidance along the way can make a meaningful difference. In a recent episode of Banking on Connections, David Young, Director of Capacity Building at @HousingActionIL, shares how housing counseling helps prospective homebuyers better understand their financial options and make informed decisions. Listen to the full episode to learn more about the value of housing counseling and how FHLBank Chicago is supporting this important work through its Community First® Housing Counseling Resource Program: bit.ly/4rw04ZF

We recently hosted an inaugural Affordable Housing Advisory Council (AHAC) Leadership Summit, bringing together Community Investment Officers from across the FHLBank System, AHAC leadership, and Federal Housing Finance Agency representatives. The group gathered for a series of strategic discussions on affordable housing priorities, system coordination, and shared policy objectives, creating a meaningful opportunity to share perspectives, strengthen cross-system collaboration, and build greater alignment around our collective efforts to support affordable housing needs across the nation.

In a recent blog for @AmericasCUs, @RyanDonovan, President and CEO of @FHLBanksVoice, highlighted how Federal Home Loan Bank membership helps credit unions access reliable liquidity and continue serving their members through changing economic conditions. It's a timely reminder that the work we do at FHLBank Chicago helps local financial institutions remain resilient, support lending, and create opportunities in communities across the country. Read the blog post authored by Ryan Donovan to see how our mission translates into real-world impact. Learn more: bit.ly/3VtPIO9

September brought several opportunities to connect with partners and community leaders across our district. At Inclusiv’s Wisconsin Regional Convening, Jamie Lutton shared @urbaninstitute research on Wisconsin’s housing affordability challenges and joined a fireside chat with leaders from Habitat for Humanity of Dane County and @AmericasCUs. Our team also joined @mercyhousing Lakefront for Moving Forward Together, focused on permanent supportive housing; @Allies4CB for Toast to Community Business, celebrating Chicago’s local entrepreneurs; and @cclfchicago, celebrating 35 years of investing in communities.

What will it take to expand and preserve the supply of homes for purchase in Illinois and Wisconsin? In the latest episode of Banking on Connections, Katie Naftzger, Community Investment Officer at FHLBank Chicago, joins Laurie Goodman of the @urbaninstitute to discuss new research on the region's housing supply challenges and opportunities. The conversation explores aging housing stock, limited new construction, barriers to rehabilitation and what local lenders and housing stakeholders are seeing in their communities. 🎧 Listen now: bit.ly/4hAX3mi 📖 Read the report: urbn.is/4AFqAnL

New research from the @urbaninstitute examines the supply of owner-occupied housing across Illinois and Wisconsin and the challenges affecting the availability of homes for purchase. The case study combines housing market analysis with perspectives from housing stakeholders, including survey responses from more than 150 FHLBank Chicago member financial institutions. Findings highlight an aging housing stock, persistently low levels of new construction and limited access to rehabilitation financing, as well as areas for further exploration to expand and preserve housing supply across the region. Read the full announcement: bit.ly/4xSmPZu

We’re proud to see another Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund-supported development open its doors in Illinois. Garden Center Services recently celebrated the grand opening of a new 16-unit apartment development in Worth, supported by a $325,000 AHP grant through our member @IFFcdfi. The new homes will help adults with disabilities live independently with access to nearby businesses and public transportation. Read more about the project and its recent ribbon cutting: bit.ly/3VftPSw

We've had a great time attending career fairs at @UChicago, @UofIllinois, @LoyolaChicago, and @LifeAtPurdue, speaking with students about the work we do and discussing the early career opportunities we have to offer at FHLBank Chicago. We look forward to meeting more students in the coming weeks! If you are interested in learning more about internship or rotational analyst positions, visit bit.ly/4rjNmgo

Visiting workforce housing developments like Taylor Place Apartments in McHenry, Illinois, and meeting the local banks, credit unions, and community members who make affordable housing happen in their district is a highly effective way for policymakers like @RepBillFoster, to understand the real impact on residents and communities. During a recent tour of Taylor Place, supported by a $1 million grant from FHLBank Chicago’s Affordable Housing Program General Fund, Dave Feldhaus, Senior Vice President and Director of External Affairs at FHLBank Chicago, and Dan Watts, Director and President of Forest Park National Bank and Trust Company, and Vice Chairperson of FHLBank Chicago's Board of Directors, shared how effective it is to connect with policymakers on the ground in their districts. Read more on our website: bit.ly/4eUBSeT

Local leaders, affordable housing developers, community partners, and financial institutions are all important parts of the journey to building more affordable housing. Taylor Place highlights the power of collaboration to bring more affordable housing and long-term opportunities to communities across our district. During a recent tour of Taylor Place, supported by a $1 million grant from FHLBank Chicago’s Affordable Housing Program General Fund, @RepBillFoster, Richard Koenig, Executive Director of Housing Opportunity Development Corporation, and Jamie Lutton, Manager of Community Outreach and Engagement at FHLBank Chicago, shared how collaboration is essential to making projects like Taylor Place happen. Read more on our website: bit.ly/4eUBSeT

We are seeking a partner with strong experience supporting highly regulated organizations through large-scale data and analytics initiatives. Scope may include assessing the current state, reviewing and refining the data strategy, evaluating the existing technology stack, and proposing and executing a strategic implementation plan. Learn more and submit your response on our website: bit.ly/4gTlvir