‘Inclusionary zoning’ excludes Chicago’s poor from housing

By LyLena Estabine

11/28/2024

They call it “inclusionary zoning,” but in reality the government mandate for a portion of developments to be “affordable” limits supply and drives up costs. Chicago should pull back from this form of rent control.

TAGS: affordable housing, zoning

Illinois cities could significantly speed up new home, business construction

By Patrick Andriesen

04/09/2024

Illinois cities and villages could reduce from months to just days the time it takes to issue permits for new residential and commercial construction. Phoenix saw housing units increase 10% in a decade by cutting costly delays.

TAGS: affordable housing, zoning

Chicago allows coach houses after 64-year ban, but with restrictions

By Noah Shaar

06/21/2021

Chicago issued permits for about 160 coach houses and granny flats after banning the alternative housing for decades. But restrictions may damage the experiment, especially in areas that most need affordable housing.

TAGS: affordable housing, Chicago, zoning

Chicago may soon allow in-law flats, coach houses for first time since 1957

By Robert Brutvan

05/26/2020

Chicago introduces an ordinance to remove restrictions on accessory dwelling units, paving the way to encourage entrepreneurship and further combat the city’s affordable housing crisis

TAGS: Chicago City Council, regulations, zoning

Suburban mayor opposes adding 1,500 jobs as Illinois struggles with employment

02/24/2020

Amazon bought the old commercial property, but Bolingbrook’s mayor opposes putting 1,500 jobs on it. Illinois’ job growth was below the national average in 2019.

TAGS: Amazon, Bolingbrook, economic growth, employment, JB Pritzker, jobs, labor force participation rate, Roger Claar, unemployment, zoning

Legal marijuana sales may be restricted from most of downtown Chicago

By Vincent Caruso

09/18/2019

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has proposed zoning changes that would keep marijuana dispensaries out of most of the downtown business district after recreational use becomes legal on Jan. 1 in Illinois.

TAGS: Brendan Reilly, Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, marijuana, zoning

Expanding aldermanic power spells disaster for Chicago businesses

By Chris Lentino

05/04/2017

Since Mayor Rahm Emanuel took office in 2011, aldermen have been on the defensive regarding their power. The latest attempt to retain some of that power is taking place along a stretch of 71st Street in the 5th Ward.

TAGS: Chicago, Leslie Hairston, zoning

New ordinance will reduce building downtown, raise rents in Chicago

By Mark Adams

06/06/2016

If Chicago wants to alleviate poverty and economic inequality, the city needs to reform its zoning laws to allow more building – not institute a new tax on development.

TAGS: Chicago, zoning

How zoning rules are helping Houston overtake Chicago as America’s 3rd-largest city

By Mark Adams

06/03/2016

As Chicago’s population shrinks, Houston is set to overtake the Windy City as the third-largest city in America. Illinois’ slumping economy is a major reason for that, but the cities’ different zoning rules show how regulations can promote growth – or stifle it.

TAGS: Chicago, housing, regulations, zoning

How Chicago’s affordable-housing mandates make housing less affordable

By Mark Adams

05/17/2016

Affordable-housing mandates are sold to voters as a way to balance development with the need to build housing for the least well-off. In reality, these mandates add to the barriers that prevent developers from making housing more affordable and give rise to corruption in Chicago.

TAGS: Chicago, zoning