Tax Increment Financing: Christmas year-round for local politicians, developers

By Chris Lentino

12/19/2017

Statewide use of slush funds ensures it’s Christmas every day for political leaders and their chosen developers.

TAGS: Chicago, pensions, real estate, taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Illinois General Assembly passes law allowing creation of ‘super TIFs’

By Chris Lentino

07/20/2016

A law passed by the Illinois General Assembly in June allows Chicago to create new transit-based super TIFs, adding more opportunities for city-run slush funds to divert and hoard property-tax dollars.

TAGS: Chicago, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Rahm Emanuel, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Corruption Watch

07/05/2016

Headlines in June show why Chicago is considered one of the most corrupt cities in the world.

TAGS: corruption, good government, transparency

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

Zoning restrictions are making housing unaffordable and shrinking the middle class in Chicago

By Mark Adams

05/16/2016

Bad zoning laws drive up the cost of home ownership and put a middle-class lifestyle out of reach for too many Chicagoans.

TAGS: middle class, regulations, zoning

Chicago remains a segregated city by race and income – and government deserves much of the blame

By Mark Adams

03/04/2016

City zoning policies serve to keep many neighborhoods segregated. These rules also keep lower-income residents of all races out of popular areas, allowing city officials to shape who can live where and making housing more expensive.

TAGS: zoning

Emanuel’s building proposal misses the mark on Chicago zoning reform

By Mark Adams

02/26/2016

While the mayor is right to say that expanding the downtown development area is a “win-win” for developers and poor communities, expanding downtown without the mayor’s proposed new tax on developers and inflexible size restrictions would be a bigger win for both.

TAGS: taxes

Corruption Watch: January 2015

By Shawn Tonge

02/11/2015

The start of a new year always comes with resolutions for improvement, but only time will tell if they translate into effective action.

TAGS: good government

Quinn finds millions for dog parks, disc golf and bathhouses

By Brian Costin

01/10/2015

Gov. Pat Quinn doled out $24 million in taxpayer money during his last days in office.

TAGS: budget, good government, Pat Quinn, spending

Lincoln Park

Tax Increment Financing: Christmas year-round for local politicians, developers

Illinois General Assembly passes law allowing creation of ‘super TIFs’

Corruption Watch

New ordinance will reduce building downtown, raise rents in Chicago

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

Zoning restrictions are making housing unaffordable and shrinking the middle class in Chicago

Chicago remains a segregated city by race and income – and government deserves much of the blame

Emanuel’s building proposal misses the mark on Chicago zoning reform

Corruption Watch: January 2015

Quinn finds millions for dog parks, disc golf and bathhouses

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit Illinois students?

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students