Editor’s Note
Welcome to Newswire — your weekly guide to Chicago government, civic action and what action we can take to make our city great, featuring public meeting coverage by City Bureau’s Documenters.
Quote of the Week
“We need protections for all the tenants and all the families that want to stay here. That is something that most of us here have in common: that we are residents in Chicago and we need protections.”
— Esther Martinez, an immigration and housing organizer speaking about the shared housing struggles of Chicago tenants.
[City Council Joint Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights; Housing and Real Estate, Sept. 6, 2024]
TIF tiffs
Pilsen residents remained skeptical of a proposal to expand an existing local tax increment financing (TIF) district at a recent 25th Ward meeting. TIF money subsidizes development in so-called “blighted” areas by borrowing against projected tax revenue. But it is also controversial because it can facilitate gentrification and pricing out of current property owners and residents. The current Pilsen TIF is projected to generate $115 million through 2034; the expansion is projected to bring in an additional $865 million.
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez pointed to the ways TIF money can fund public infrastructure projects and homeowner support programs, but attendees delivered some sharp barbs in return.
Ahead of recent listening sessions, the group Residents Against the TIF Expansion, which describes itself as “a broad coalition of long-term Pilsen tenants and small homeowners,” has urged residents to show up in opposition to the TIF.
Pilsen TIF Listening Session by Cynthia Salgado and Morley Musick
Budget season begins
City Council questioned some of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plans as budget season kicks into gear. Alders have scrutinized the city’s plan to distribute the remainder of federal COVID-19 relief funds. A representative from the Office of Budget and Management took questions at the meeting regarding Johson’s recently introduced plan to spend the remaining $345 million, which is meant to be spent on community initiatives. One of alders’ top questions was whether the programs will be sustained after federal funding is dried up. The representative said the answer will come in a future report.
City Council Committee on Budget and Government Operations by Reema Saleh and Nato'sha Trotter
Continued tensions
Tensions were high as public commenters voiced their frustration at Chicago’s rising housing crisis. Many said they believe the crisis is driven by the influx of majority Venezuelan migrants to Chicago. This frustration is not new; many Black Chicagoans have felt slighted as the city has poured $300 million into meeting the needs of migrants (most of which has been federal funding), while predominantly Black communities have struggled to get their needs met.
Alders planned to hold a joint meeting between the Immigrant and Refugee Rights Housing and Real Estate committees but failed to make a quorum. Committee chairs Alds. Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th Ward) and Andre Vasquez (40th Ward), called on the sergeant-at-arms to remove anyone shouting during public comment
City Council Joint Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights; Housing and Real Estate by Ivy Czekanski
On the books
At the most recent Board of Education meeting, Chicago Public Schools officials reported higher rates of diversity and preparedness among teachers. Public commenters, however, said funding changes and staffing cuts have left their schools scrambling. Several elected officials, parents and staff also took time to praise CPS CEO Pedro Martinez following tense budget and union negotiations. While Mayor Brandon Johnson is reportedly considering ousting him, 462 principals and assistant principals from more than 300 schools signed a letter urging the board to keep Martinez at the helm of CPS.
Chicago Board of Education by Sarina Shane and Angie Ybarra
A version of this story was first published in the September 12, 2024 issue of the Newswire, an email newsletter that is your weekly guide to Chicago government, civic action and what we can do to make our city great. You can sign up for the weekly newsletter here.
Have thoughts on what you'd like to see in this feature? Email Editorial Director Ariel Cheung at ariel@citybureau.org.