Mission
Dedicated to greening and beautifying Chicago’s expressways, gateways, and neighborhoods.
History
Founded in 1986 by the late Donald J. DePorter, Chicago Gateway Green was founded on the belief that beauty and sustainability go hand-in-hand, and continues to lead the charge in greening and beautifying the great city of Chicago together with our partners.
Chicago Gateway Green developed the Expressway Partnership program in 1999, joining the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and Chicago’s corporate community to transform the city’s expressways into beautifully-landscaped parkways. Distinct from traditional ‘adopt-a-highway’ programs, Chicago Gateway Green develops and maintains sweeping landscapes which feature our sponsors, creating green ribbons of sustainable landscapes weaving throughout the city.
The Green Tie Ball, Chicago Gateway Green’s signature fundraising gala made its first appearance in 1992. What began as a 500-person party held in the street is now one of the most well-known and exclusive charity fundraising events in Chicago, attended annually by more than 3,000 of the city’s most influential professionals. Each year, the event is marked by scores of Chicago’s top restaurants, multiple stages of eclectic entertainment; and a unique indoor-outdoor venue to celebrate the green spaces of the city.
