Credit aldermen Manny Flores and Scott Waguespack for this, which passed unanimously last week: 2-45-155 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Sunshine Ordinance. The following TlF-related documents for each active TIF district shall be made publicly available on the City of Chicago, Department of Community Development website: 1. The ordinances establishing each TIF district, including all attachments,…
Author: Lynn Fazekas
Privatization & Public Safety
“I can tell you right now how to shave $10 million off the city budget,” a DeKalb business person told me recently. How? “Privatize everything.” It’s an extreme view redolent of anti-union sentiment and we will not be hearing pronouncements from city hall about contracting out for basic services anytime soon, I’m sure. However, that…
End of an Era
My son’s last day on the job was today. He’s been fired. At 12 years old.
Re:New Report
Perhaps you listened to the part of the WLBK mayoral candidates’ forum last month when I challenged the notion that installation of the synthetic skating rink had translated into more downtown shopping dollars (an argument for its purchase)–in which case you then heard in response the sound of our then-acting-mayor waving a sheet of paper…
Rental Housing Nuisance Act
From a comment made yesterday: I had a nightmare that the rental inspection fee made a come back in the summer of 2009, after most of the NIU students left. I don’t know what the city might be cooking up, but a new rental inspection law, HB3857, is making its way through the Illinois General…
Dose of the Best Medicine
Home Rule Channel
YouTube video slices of the Home Rule petition challenge hearing:
Home Rule Petition Challenged
Stories here and here. I not only signed the petition but also helped gather a few signatures myself, believing we need to have a conversation about Home Rule and wanting to vote on it in April. If you feel the same, please join us at City Hall on Monday at 1:30 p.m. for a hearing…
Plans for Injunction Against Dist 428
The first time we heard the “I” word, it was October. Now, it’s really happening. The District is aware that: 1) Enrollment projections by their own paid demographer are substantially lower than pre-referendum projections. 2) Pre-referendum projections on existing EAV have been lowered and are likely to decrease to reflect real market conditions. 3) Post-referendum…
How They Plan to Spend $110 Million of Our Money
We have almost reached the point of no return: A former coach at DHS told me that he thought the district would be nuts to spend $110 million and not build a football stadium. He wondered how any idiot could oppose the idea. This idiot told him that promises are important and the district and…