CHICAGO —Today Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities announced Chicago was one of eight cities invited to an inaugural technical assistance experience, led by the National League of Cities Learning Lab, designed to accelerate the Johnson administration's efforts to strengthen workforce pipelines both within City Hall and those within the community which serve people with disabilities.
“As Mayor of Chicago, I am proud of our MOPD Career Center, an integral part of my administration’s commitment to ensuring disability inclusion is central in our workforce strategy,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Our selection for the Learning Lab is a testament to the innovative strategies and results that our City has created to expand opportunities to all of our residents.”
The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities led a cross-sector team from Chicago to Washington, D.C., May 6-7, 2026, to spur innovative, scalable solutions that ensure residents with disabilities can access good jobs.
MOPD's Career Center supports job seekers with disabilities in finding and keeping meaningful employment.
The center works to employers to identify qualified job candidates for open roles and also offer Disability Awareness Training, support and retention services.
Chicago representatives include Christina McGleam, Deputy Commissioner,; Lauren Hooberman, MOPD Career Center Program Manager; Joanna Madigan, Senior Manager, Workforce Development, World Business Chicago, and Latrice Garth, Senior Manager HR, People & Culture, Lincoln Park Zoo.
“I thank our staff and our cross-sector partners, including World Business Chicago and our employer champions, including Lincoln Park Zoo.
Together, we are building new pathways to career opportunities,” saidMOPD Commissioner Rachel Arfa. “Thank you to the National League of Cities for their support and this opportunity, as we continue to scale out our model and increase inclusive employers throughout Chicago.”
At the Learning Lab, the Chicago team developed steps to further expand employer engagement through participation in the MOPD Employer Champions Committee.
The Committee, launched in April 2025 and co-led by World Business Chicago, brings together public and private sector employers committed to inclusive and accessible employment practices, with the goal of increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
The team from Chicago was one of eight cities selected to join the Expanding Workforce Opportunities for All Learning Lab.
Other cities included: Albany, NY, Birmingham, AL, Boise, ID, Houston, TX, Little Rock, AR.
Miramar, FL, and New York, NY.
Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities:
The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities strives to ensure full participation and equal opportunities in all aspects of life for people with disabilities.
We advocate for and directly support programs that improve quality of life and open pathways for innovation and partnership. With a goal of inspiringâ¯positiveâ¯change in Chicago, we work to ensure the rights of the disability community are equitably represented across City services, initiatives, and policies.â¯
About the National League of Cities
The National League of Cities is the voice of America’s cities, towns, and villages, representing more than 19,000 municipalities across the country.
NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy, and drive innovative solutions.