Dunning

One of the 77 defined community areas in Chicago, Dunning is located on the Northwest Side of downtown Chicago. Offering close proximity to the city, it is an increasingly-popular community for residents of all ages.

In the 1870s, Andrew Dunning, who the community is named for, purchased the land which would eventually become Dunning. Due to the lack of transportation at the time, growth was initially slow, and did not increase until the time immediately following World War I. In the decades since, the population has increased exponentially, as Chicago has expanded, and growth has spread to the neighborhoods on the outer edges of the City of Chicago.

The Chicago Public School district serves all residents of Dunning, and a number of alternate schooling options are available. All students have the opportunity to attend Taft High School, located in nearby Norwood Park. Transportation is available through the CTA, offering numerous “L” and bus stops throughout the neighborhood.

Dunning is perhaps best known as the home to Eli’s Cheesecake factory, and the company has been producing cheesecakes in its state-of-the-art facility for nearly two decades. The Chicago Park District operates various parks throughout dunning and the surrounding communities, with Shabbona Park being one of the focal points. Sitting on nearly 20 acres of land, Shabbona Park features: badminton, baseball, soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, softball, a swimming pool and fitness center, tennis courts, a walking trail, and much more. A number of highly-acclaimed restaurants are located in Dunning, offering a wide array of cuisine that reflects the diversity of the community. Local favorites include Community Tavern, BarTucci, City Tap & Grill, and more.