The TIF Illumination Project

This post was contributed by a person who has attended several of our TIF town meetings. I work for a Chicago company that was the recipient of a $5 million dollar TIF grant. We got a building makeover, including a new roof, an upgrade to the electrical service, remodeled bathrooms, and advanced window coatings. Everything was done according to LEED guidelines, which promote environmental sustainability. The parking lot got planters with trees.  I like sustainability. I think... Read more

The Mayor has announced plans for hundreds of millions of dollars on tourism-related construction, including 10,000 seat basketball arena for DePaul University... Read more

  Despite a Bull’s playoff game 50 people came Room 43 on Monday, May 13 for the 4th Ward Illumination. Read the... Read more

It’s time to shed some light on the 11 TIFs inside the 4th Ward. Join us on Monday, May 13 at... Read more

Is your alderman on the list of sponsors of the Privatization Transparency Ordinance”? If so, call them and tell them to get... Read more

It was Mayor Daley (I and II) all over again. In the old days, when an alderman dared to question the mayor... Read more

Long time Rogers Park activist Don Gordon summarizes the TIF program from the point of view of transparency online at Chicago Now. When... Read more

CivicLab co-founder Tom Tresser will be presenting at eChicago at UIC on Friday, April 26 on the TIF Illumination Project, as part... Read more

So we are seeing a lot about the Bus Rapid Transit project being pushed aggressively by the city and an impressive list... Read more

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Alderman Dick Mell is blocking a vote on a bill that would make privatization deals in the... Read more

The folks in Uptown are hopping mad at the thought of $29 million of their property tax dollars going to JDL... Read more

Check out this comprehensive article on the Chicago Infrastructure Trust from Next City. CivicLab  co-founder Tom Tresser is the voice of dissent... Read more