About TIFs

In 2009 there were 422 TIF districts in Cook County – 158 in the city of Chicago and 264 in the suburbs. They diverted ed a total of $839 million in county property taxes. $519 million was taken in city property taxes and $320 million in suburban property taxes.

In 2008 the total Cook County TIF revenue was $875 million. Of that total, $496 million was pulled out of Chicago’s property tax collections. There were a staggering 420 TIF districts county-wide. Some 161 were in Chicago!

In 2007 total Cook County TIF revenue was $892 million. The City of Chicago threw off $555.3 million in TIF funds and the suburbs generated $336.8 million from TIF funds. TIFs have taken $3.061 billion in property taxes from the city budget since 1986.

Almost 30% of Chicago is in a TIF District!

Are YOUR property taxes being diverted?

Here is a short video that explains the basics of the Tax Increment Program.

Here is a presentation on the basics of TIFs in Chicago prepared by Tom Tresser: