What if millions of taxpayer dollars went directly to community members to invest in their public schools or mental health facilities? How different would the city development process be if taxpayers had financial power to create the infrastructure they need to thrive?

Chicago’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program is supposed to encourage investment in so-called “blighted” neighborhoods, but it’s a controversial program for many reasons. 

Join City Bureau and Cecile De Mello of Teamwork Englewood at this month’s Public Newsroom to discuss how TIF funds can be used to support holistic community development, especially in relation to families, women, the re-entry population and unemployed folks.

Teamwork Englewood was part of the neighborhood coalition that negotiated with Whole Foods to ensure the development, which received $10.7 million in TIF dollars, would be accountable to the community. This year, the grocery chain owned by Amazon left the neighborhood. Can these huge taxpayer subsidies be used to directly benefit community residents, rather than powerful developers and corporations? Cecile will share her experience with the city’s development process, and talk about barriers that community members face when they are looking to develop their own commercial corridors.

We’ll also discuss how attendees can access city dollars when it comes to planning and development in their own neighborhoods. How can city funding be used to support small business owners and build capacity within communities to help us survive and thrive? Bring a friend, and bring your own development ideas!

Featuring:

• Cecile De Mello, Executive Director of Teamwork Englewood