FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Diana Martinez | Diana.Martinez@cityofchicago.org | (312) 597-1830
City Clerk Anna Valencia encourages families to obtain a CityKey ID
to access summer programs, services and opportunities
Free municipal ID helps residents access summer programs, public services, discounts and community resources
CHICAGO – As students prepare for summer break, City Clerk Anna Valencia is encouraging families across Chicago to obtain a CityKey, the City of Chicago’s optional, free municipal identification card that helps residents access programs, services, discounts and opportunities throughout the city.
To help connect more residents with these benefits, the Office of the City Clerk (OCC) is partnering with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, Chicago Public Library (CPL), Chicago Public Schools (CPS), local businesses and community organizations to host CityKey printing events throughout the summer, making it easier for students and families to obtain a valid, government-issued photo ID close to home.
Available to all Chicago residents regardless of age, housing status, gender identity or immigration status, CityKey serves as more than an identification card, it is a gateway to opportunity. The card provides access to city services, cultural institutions, libraries, prescription savings, public transportation, local business discounts and community resources across Chicago.
"Every Chicagoan deserves access to a safe, trusted form of identification and the opportunities that come with it," City Clerk Anna Valencia said. "Whether it’s accessing summer programs, public services, library resources or prescription savings, CityKey helps connect residents to the resources they need. By bringing CityKey printing directly into neighborhoods, we're making those opportunities more accessible to families across Chicago and helping young people stay active, engaged and connected throughout the summer."
One opportunity available to CityKey holders this summer is the YMCA’s Get Summer Program, a partnership between the City of Chicago and participating YMCA locations that provides eligible teens ages 12 to 18 with free access to YMCA fitness centers, gymnasiums, basketball courts, swimming pools, athletic facilities and recreational spaces throughout August. Because CityKey can serve as a valid proof of age and Chicago residency, it can help families meet enrollment requirements while also providing a valuable form of identification throughout the year.
To help connect more families to these opportunities, City Clerk Anna Valencia and the Office of the City Clerk team will host a CityKey printing event at the Rauner Family YMCA on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Residents will be able to apply for and receive a CityKey on-site while learning more about the benefits available through the card.
Beyond access to summer programming, CityKey year-round benefits include:
- A valid, government-issued photo ID
- Chicago Public Library access
- Chicago Rx prescription savings of up to 80% on eligible medications
- CTA Ventra card functionality
- Discounts at participating museums, cultural institutions and local businesses
- Access to community resources and city services
The OCC will host additional CityKey printing events throughout the summer including, but not limited to, the following four upcoming events at community partner locations:
CITYKEY PRINTING EVENT LOCATIONS:
- June 22 – Center on Halsted: 3656 N. Halsted St., 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- June 23 – Rauner Family YMCA: 2700 S. Western Ave., 11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- June 30 – CPL/Lozano Branch: 1805 S. Loomis Blvd., 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- July 10 – Kelly Hall YMCA: 824 N. Hamlin Ave., 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
To obtain a Chicago CityKey, applicants must be residents of the City of Chicago and provide documentation verifying their identity and residency. Complete eligibility requirements, accepted documents and application information are available at the following links: https://www.getcitykey.com/CityKey/Calculator?Doc=Calculator and CityKey_App_Doc_Kids.pdf.
For more information about CityKey benefits, accepted documents, upcoming printing events and application requirements, visit: www.getcitykey.com.
For more information about the YMCA’s Get Summer Program, teens and parents are encouraged to visit their nearest YMCA location or visit: Get Summer | YMCA.
About the Office of the City Clerk
Led by City Clerk Anna Valencia, the Office of the City Clerk serves as the official record keeper of the Chicago City Council, administers the City’s Wheel Tax (City Sticker) and oversees Chicago’s municipal ID program, CityKey. The Office also partners with Chicago Public Schools on the NextGen youth civic engagement program, collaborates with community organizations on fines and fees reform and supports initiatives to improve the lives of women and girls.
Learn more at www.chicityclerk.com and follow OCC on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
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