Chicago’s tax increment financing, or TIF, program is intended to
spur economic development and create jobs in neighborhoods that need it
most.
But more than 50 South Side residents questioned the program's impact upon learning this weekend that millions of
property tax dollars were diverted from local schools and
other units of government and awarded to private companies.
“Even though they’re for blighted areas, we find that places in the city
are using TIF money, like the Central Business District and LaSalle Street,” Tom
Tresser, co-founder of the CivicLab, said at a TIF town hall meeting Saturday at Chicago State University. Read more »
Former State Rep. 
For many voters in the south suburban areas of the 2nd Congressional District, Tuesday’s special election to replace former
congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. was a chance to express their desire for
“change”, despite admitting to having a guarded optimism over anyone who
eventually wins the seat.
In a last-ditch effort to reach voters in her hometown of Matteson,
former State Rep. Robin Kelly and Democratic candidate for the 2nd
Congressional District made a lunchtime stop at IHOP today.
On a dreary day in an area that has seen more than its fair share of
ethically-challenged elected officials, an expectedly low voter turnout
was the story at many polling places Tuesday as residents came out to
cast their ballots in the race to replace former Illinois 2nd
Congressional District U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
In the morning hours of today’s primary election for Illinois' 2nd
Congressional District, a blizzard on the horizon and a lack of faith in
elected officials has left many poll workers and voters with a dismal
outlook for voter turnout.
