A by-invitation-only luncheon today with some of the business community's most prominent leaders raised $200,000 toward building a $9.8 million tennis facility on land that was formerly part of the Robert Taylor Homes.

"We raised the money we needed to break ground," Kamau Murray, executive director of the foundation that runs the facility, told me after the luncheon. "The goal is to bring more tournaments and events to the city so our kids can gain a ranking. You can't go for a scholarship to college without that."

Richard Price, chairman and CEO of Mesirow Financial, gathered friends and clients for the event at his company's Clark Street office to hear Mayor Rahm Emanuel and others talk about how the tennis center will transform Chicago. Mesirow donated $50,000 toward the new facility.

The 112,000-square-foot facility at 54th and State streets will be home to 10 tennis courts, a fitness center, a running track and classrooms. To continue reading, click here.

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