Annual event connects jobseekers to more than 75 employers, thousands of opportunities and sustainable career pathways
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), in partnership with local government agencies, nonprofits and business leaders, will host the Spring 2026 Citywide Career Fair on Wednesday, April 22, at Olive-Harvey College on Chicago’s South Side. The career fair marks a continued expansion of one of the region’s largest public and private sector collaborative hiring events.
"We're excited to co-host this event, bringing dozens of employers together in one room so jobseekers who walk in with ambition and hope can walk out with a job offer," CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen said. "That's what real opportunity looks like.”
More than 75 employers and resource agencies—representing transportation, construction, healthcare, manufacturing, government, and more—will be onsite to connect with job seekers, discuss current opportunities, and in many cases move candidates forward in the hiring process or extend conditional job offers.
Held during Second Chance Month, a nationwide effort dedicated to raising awareness and removing employment barriers for people with criminal records, this year’s fair places a strong emphasis on “Fair Chance” hiring practices—connecting returning residents from traditionally underserved communities with job opportunities.
“We know talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t always distributed that way,” said City of Chicago’s Director of Reentry Joseph Mapp. “That’s why employers who commit to Fair Chance Hiring aren’t just filling positions, they’re helping to remove barriers that have kept too many capable people on the sidelines. When we open doors for returning residents, we’re not lowering standards, we’re raising our expectations of what equity and access should look like. Real economic opportunity means people can earn, contribute, and build stability for themselves and their families, and that kind of investment strengthens entire communities. The Mayor’s Office is proud to partner with the Chicago Transit Authority and Citywide Career Fair to help make that vision real, connecting Chicagoans to opportunity, employers to overlooked talent, and moving our city forward together.”
Thirty of the employers participating in the job fair have committed to being identified as “Fair Chance” employers, making it easier for job seekers with employment challenges to successfully apply for jobs.
The Citywide Career Fair continues to grow through strong collaboration across public, private, and community partners. This year’s event features expanded employer participation, broader industry representation, and access to over 5,240 opportunities. Many attendees have already benefited from advance preparation, including resume writing and mock interview support, and will continue to have access to job listings in advance of the event.
Participating organizations include the Office of the City Clerk Anna M. Valencia, City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), Chicago Public Library, Cook County Bureau of Human Resources, Cara Collective, World Business Chicago, National Able Network and others.
"The Citywide Career Fair is a result of collaboration between government and community organizations to bring Chicagoans the opportunity to explore career paths and find employment,” said City Clerk Anna Valencia. “I'm grateful to everyone who worked on this event and look forward to the impact it will have on our communities."
“This job fair represents what we can achieve when we work collaboratively with public agencies, the private sector, and community organizations, coming together with a shared purpose,” said Civilian Office of Police Accountability, Chief Lakenya White. “The purpose is simple but powerful, to ensure opportunity is accessible, inclusive, and impactful.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore careers across multiple industries, connect directly with hiring employers and receive free professional headshots. The event is thoughtfully organized by industry clusters, making it easier for participants to navigate, target opportunities aligned with their interests and experience, and have more meaningful, focused conversations with employers. This design helps to reduce barriers and increases access to employment—particularly for those seeking a fresh start or career advancement.
Job seekers are strongly encouraged to apply for positions ahead of time to increase their chances of securing an interview or offer during the event.
Pre-registration is open but not required. Job seekers may register here: Spring 2026 Citywide Career Fair - Attendee Registration.
Event Details:
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Olive-Harvey College
Main Building – Southeast Entrance
10001 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL 60628
Attendees are encouraged to review the list of participating employers at www.chicityclerk.com/citywidecareerfair, where they can also access direct links to employer applications.
For support with resumes and interviewing visit your neighborhood American Job Center and for free Wi-Fi and computer access to complete online job applications, visit your neighborhood Chicago Public Library.
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