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Toni Foulkes
Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
7:12pm
Mon Apr 23
4 comments

Chicago Aldermen Propose Infrastructure Trust Changes

Six Chicago City Council aldermen will suggest a number of changes to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposed Infrastructure Trust public-private partnership at tomorrow’s city council meeting, where city lawmakers are expected to vote on the controversial Trust.

Driving the changes is the notion that Emanuel’s Infrastructure Trust – where the city uses private investors to fund public infrastructure projects – concentrates too much unchecked power in the hands of the mayor and a five-member Infrastructure Trust board.

“We are not opposed to the Trust in principle,” says Ald. John Arena (45th), one of the amendment authors. “We want clear, enforceable oversight built into the ordinance.” Read more »

Quick Hit
by Brandon Campbell
10:33am
Wed Feb 15

Aldermen Continue Push For Child Safety Near Vacant Homes

On Sunday, Aldermen Deborah Graham (29th), Robert Fioretti (2nd), and Toni Foulkes (15th) joined members of the Chicago Teachers Union, Action Now, and a group of parents and community safety advocates for a press conference urging Mayor Rahm Emanuel to make the Vacant Property Safe Passages Ordinance a priority.

If approved, the ordinance, which has sat in legislative limbo since it was introduced by Graham on October 5, 2011, would require daylight watchmen to guard schoolchildren as they pass by vacant properties near public schools.

"Recently, the mayor said he cares so much about student safety on the way to school that he's installing speed cameras," said Aileen Kelleher, Action Now communications director, during a phone interview Tuesday. "We're saying if you care so much about safety this ordinance should be your number one priority."

Read more »

Quick Hit
by
3:47pm
Thu Jul 7, 2011

PI's Cheat Sheet: July City Council Meeting Proposals

Wednesday’s City Council meeting was jam packed with policy and ordinance proposals. See Progress Illinois’ cheat sheet for an update:

PASSED:
Gun Ranges - Mayor Rahm Emanuel got an ordinance through the full committee that allows gun ranges in the city. Practicing at a range -- which previously meant a trip to the suburbs -- is part of the process in obtaining a permit. The ordinance will allow indoor ranges to set up shop in areas zoned for manufacturing and would require city and Chicago Police approval. Passing the ordinance lets the city get a hold on two related federal lawsuits that are pending.
Read more »

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
4:23pm
Mon Mar 8, 2010

Bringing TIF Back To Its Roots (VIDEO)

Tax Increment Financing

On Wednesday, Chicago Ald. Walter Burnett (27th Ward) and a handful of co-sponsors will introduce an ordinance that would require the city to set aside 20 percent of all new tax increment financing (TIF) revenue to jumpstart affordable housing projects. We look at how such an investment would buoy the city's housing market and create jobs.