You Choose What's News in Chicago

Windy Citizen lets you share and discover the best local news, events, photos and videos and read original reporting on Chicago people, places and issues.

How it works

Post a Chicago link. (No sign up required!)
Watch as people vote up, click on, and discuss it and our network writes about it.
The best links make the front page and are delivered via daily e-mail, rss, twitter and more.

News room activity feed

commented on iPhone 2.2 Software Update Full Review saying Love the updates , adds more 47 min 31 sec
commented on Chicago's Umphrey's McGee return to their South Bend roots saying looks like evryone had a 1 hour 31 min
commented on Advertise on The Windy Citizen saying Join our team in a quest 1 hour 55 min
Anna Tarkov created the blog post Mayor Daley is Preaching Chicago's Gospel 3 hours 19 min
daperp730 created the story Bears Off-Season 4 hours 35 min
commented on Bulls trade rumors: Brad Miller or Spencer Hawes? saying I don't think it would be 5 hours 16 min
Anna Tarkov commented on Mayor Daley is Asking for Your Help saying Thanks Paula, I appreciate 9 hours 5 min

See all network activity

+ Submit

Adam Verwymeren

Chicago TIFS: Find out what 161 mayoral slush funds look like

Filed by Adam Verwymeren on Jun 16, 2008 01:34 AM

Tax increment financing has become a hot issue in Chicago, drawing many high-profile critics in both the media and government. Its detractors say the system lacks transparency and that the money ends up in a huge slush fund for the mayor to play with.

TIFs work by freezing the amount of money a district pays into city services for 23 years. As property values go up, the extra property tax money is used to pay for projects in the community.

In theory, this system is supposed to be used in blighted areas to spur development. The reality is a little different.

READ MORE | 1 Comment

Location: The Loop

Tags: city council, chicago, 60603, TIFs, Adam Verwymeren,

Front Page

The Citizen's front page is a central place to discuss and share new and interesting Chicago links.

Citizen Blogs

The Citizen's Blog Network is a growing team of Chicago writers, photographers, pundits and assorted media makers who expand on the local topics, issues, places and interests featured on the front page.

This site Copyright 2008, Windy Citizen.com - All rights reserved. Content posted by users is dedicated to the public domain. Powered by Drupal 5.7. Hosted by Midphase.
Designed in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. Special thanks to these very helpful advisers.

Chicago ticket broker Vividseats.com has great Bruce Springsteen concert tickets and sports tickets like Cubs tickets and Bears tickets for all games!