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

I hosted a roundtable at the State Bank of Bement with community bankers, the Illinois Bankers Association, and FHLBank Chicago. We talked about affordable housing and what Washington can do to make sure community banks can keep serving Illinois families and farmers.

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

Taylor Place Apartments expands access to safe, stable, and affordable homes in McHenry, Illinois – helping residents stay connected to jobs, services, and the community they call home. During a recent tour of Taylor Place, supported by a $1 million grant from FHLBank Chicago’s Affordable Housing Program General Fund, @RepBillFoster and Richard Koenig, Executive Director of Housing Opportunity Development Corporation, shared how important these developments are for communities to thrive. bit.ly/4eUBSeT

Through the first half of 2026, member Wolf River Community Bank used more than $16 million in FHLBank Chicago Community Advances to support housing, small businesses, and economic development in Wisconsin. With the annual subsidy limit now doubled to $400,000 per member and a new 100 basis point discount tier available for eligible activity, members have even more capacity to meet local needs. Learn more about Community Advance and how it can support your community on our website: bit.ly/4aETRUf

In August, FHLBank Chicago convened two economic roundtable discussions with @RepSchneider, @RepBillFoster, and @RepCasten, along with member financial institutions, trade association partners (@ilbanker, the Community Bankers Association of Illinois, the @ILCULeague, the Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of Illinois, and @ILREALTOR), and industry leaders, to discuss housing finance and supply, digital assets, fraud issues, and community development across Illinois. These conversations created valuable forums for our members to share local perspectives directly with policymakers while reinforcing the critical role community lenders play in supporting families, small businesses, and communities. By connecting members with policymakers and providing member-focused financial solutions, FHLBank Chicago continues delivering value that helps strengthen communities across Illinois and Wisconsin. Learn more about our public policy and advocacy efforts at fhlbc.com/public-policy

Today, we joined @WiscHousing in Waukesha to recognize La Casa de Esperanza, Inc., one of 14 Wisconsin organizations receiving grants through our Community First® Housing Counseling Resource Program (HCRP). Read the full story: bit.ly/4guBwN1

Register today for our upcoming webinar – "From Paper to Digital: Lessons Learned on the eClosing Journey," featuring insights from FHLBank Chicago alongside speakers from DocMagic and Altra Federal Credit Union. Tune in at 11 a.m. on September 10 to hear practical lessons on eClosings and eNotes, including what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how lenders are navigating the transition from paper to digital: bit.ly/4qNAXBu

Supported by a $1 million Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant from FHLBank Chicago, Earle Residences represents an innovative approach to creating affordable housing in communities where it’s needed most. We were proud to join project partners in celebrating this week’s grand opening.

Expanded low loan balance pricing is now available across select MPF® Traditional and MPF Xtra® products. New pricing schedules for qualifying loans up to $450K can help members strengthen mortgage offerings and support affordable lending. Learn more here: bit.ly/4wQpJNK

We were proud to join Phoenix Foundation NFP - Chicago, Gorman & Company, and community partners yesterday to celebrate the grand opening of Earle Residences in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. FHLBank Chicago awarded a $1 million Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant to support the rehabilitation of the historic Earle School, helping preserve a neighborhood landmark while expanding housing opportunities in Englewood. The adaptive reuse project converted the former school, originally constructed beginning in 1897, into 50 affordable rental apartment units. Read the full story: bit.ly/3SCDTUK

Today, we hosted @RepBillFoster and @RepCasten, member financial institutions, trade association partners, and industry leaders for a roundtable discussion focused on housing finance, community lending, and economic priorities impacting communities across the greater Chicago region. The conversation highlighted the important role community-based financial institutions play in expanding access to credit, advancing affordable housing, supporting small businesses, and strengthening local economies. Thank you to Congressman Foster, Congressman Casten, our members, and our trade association partners @ilbanker, the Community Bankers Association of Illinois, the @ILCULeague, the Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of Illinois, and @ILREALTOR for joining this important discussion and helping advance solutions that support housing, community development, and long-term economic opportunity. bit.ly/4wUeQun

Check out this story from @news8news highlighting efforts to expand access to housing counseling in the La Crosse community. Through FHLBank Chicago’s Community First® Housing Counseling Resource Program (HCRP), administered by @WHEDA in Wisconsin, @Couleecap Community Action Agency received $344,000 to expand housing counseling services. We’re proud to partner with WHEDA to support housing counseling agencies and expand homeownership opportunities across Wisconsin. Read more here: bit.ly/4cFKqES

We're pleased to announce enhancements to our Community Advance product, designed to help members do even more for their communities. Effective today, the annual interest rate subsidy limit doubles to $400,000 per member, and eligible activity may receive a 100 basis point discount—expanding capacity for affordable housing, small business lending, agricultural activity, and economic development across Illinois and Wisconsin. Learn more on our website: bit.ly/4wHTuAb

Our August Community First® Newsletter is now available. This edition highlights a $1 million Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant supporting 48 new homes in Northbrook, Illinois; additional funding for our Downpayment Plus® programs; enhancements to the MPF® Habitat for Humanity® Program; and more. Read the full newsletter here: bit.ly/4zxkTHJ

Today, FHLBank Chicago joined Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) in Milwaukee to celebrate Acts Housing, @HRI_Wisconsin, and United Community Center, three of 14 Wisconsin organizations receiving grants through our Community First® Housing Counseling Resource Program (HCRP). Through the HCRP, we’re proud to strengthen housing counseling organizations across Illinois and Wisconsin, expanding their capacity to provide the trusted guidance and financial preparation that help more individuals and families navigate the path to successful, sustainable homeownership. Read the full story: bit.ly/4cU1qY3

The Federal Home Loan Bank System is a vital part of the country’s #housingmarket, but over the years, misunderstandings and misleading statistics have muddied the picture when it comes to their importance, writes Ryan Donovan, of @FHLBanksVoice in @AmerBanker @BankThink. #AffordableHousing sbrew.link/zxJfQzMT