We've been closely tracking the building momentum among some of the Chicago's aldermen in favor of reforming Mayor Daley's opaque tax increment financing (TIF) system. During her appearance on Fox's Good Day Chicago last week, Ald. Helen Shiller (46th Ward) explained why untangling TIF details is so complicated.  She further noted that, until a citywide transparency ordinance is passed, she plans to "experiment with ... trying to get all of the information, all of the legislation, from the TIFs in my ward, for instance, on our website."  Watch it (the TIF discussion starts at the 2:20 mark): 

While she may not be a fan of a separate proposal to expand the reach of the city inspector general, it's worth noting that Shiller is now the third alderman (of the 10 interviewed so far as part of FOX's ongoing series) to address TIF transparency. Of course, Shiller's taken some heat from some of her own constituents who are suing to put the breaks on the Wilson Yard TIF project, which they contend has been shrouded by insider deals and secrecy. (Incidentially, Wilson Yard has also been lauded by TIF critics as offering some of the most generous community benefits.) Shiller's experience in Uptown provides a perfect example for why making the information accessible from the start is good public policy.