Chicago recently debuted a new program which allows all Chicago Public School (CPS) student IDs to double as Chicago Public Library cards. This program will remove any barriers preventing students from having easy access to the Chicago Public Library’s physical and digital resources. The change will see an unprecedented rise in library access among Chicago students. This program is one of many benefits that a Chicago ID can grant, with student and government IDs offering free access to museums and even food for students.
The 81 Club
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson recently spoke at the Austin branch of the Chicago Public Library to announce the new program which will be called The 81 Club, named after Chicago’s 81 library locations. According to the city, this program allows CPS and libraries to share student information to remove any barriers preventing students from receiving a library card, such as identification or an application signed by a guardian.
The 81 Club was first launched in 2022 as a pilot program, prior to Johnson’s election, however as he got the program past its pilot stage he stated that “This partnership demonstrates my administration’s commitment to build a more equitable and thriving city by bringing all of government together to invest in our young people.” The pilot program in 2022 proved a major success, causing large spikes in library access among economically disadvantaged students and English learners.
Benefits of a Chicago ID
This program will massively benefit CPS students, however they are not the only group of Chicagoans to receive benefits with an ID. Chicago IDs, whether they are government or student, offer a range of benefits for Chicagoans to take advantage of.
For Students
For students in the Chicago area, many universities have partnered with The Art Institute to allow free general admission access to students. The Art Institute has 30 partner universities—to check if your university is eligible, visit The Art Institute’s website. Many restaurants also offer free or discounted food to students, such as Tso Good Chicken, who offer free chicken sandwiches to students at different universities around the city for a limited time.
For Other Chicago and Illinois Residents
If you are not a student, you still receive benefits both at The Art Institute and other places around the city. Most museums in the city offer free days of entry over the course of the year for all Illinois residents. With the Summer coming, up this is a perfect opportunity to explore the city without breaking the bank. The Art Institute will be free on Thursdays during the Summer and The Shedd Aquarium will offer free nights during the Summer months. To explore the full list of free museum days visit Choose Chicago.
If free access to Chicago’s many enriching museums wasn’t enough, residents can also apply for a CityKey, which unlocks discounts all around the city. The CityKey is a free Chicago ID residents can obtain which provides discounts on a wide range of Chicago businesses. These discounts apply to a number of local restaurants and even on tickets to Chicago sports teams such as The Chicago Fire and Chicago Sky. The complete list of benefits is located on the city clerk’s website.
Get a Library Card!
Now that 315,000 CPS students have access to library cards, it has never been easier to reap the benefits they provide. A Chicago library card provides access to the physical resources at all 81 library locations across the city. It also provides access to their extensive online resources and their maker labs offering the use of 3d printers.
The introduction of The 81 Club is a historic achievement for the city and for its many students. With the upcoming Summer months, this is the perfect time for students and other Chicago residents to explore the opportunities that are accessible just by having an ID.
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