TIF Illumination Project Sheds Light On How Chicago Tax Dollars Are Used

TIFs are one of the main tools in the city’s economic development tool belt, but are often misunderstood due to a lack of transparency.

By Daniel Tucker
CTU strikers Sterling Bay
Striking CTU members at the entrance to the offices of Sterling Bay, the developer of the Lincoln Yards project on the North Side. The teachers union has criticized TIF money for mega-developments such as Lincoln Yards. Man Martinez / WBEZ
CTU strikers Sterling Bay
Striking CTU members at the entrance to the offices of Sterling Bay, the developer of the Lincoln Yards project on the North Side. The teachers union has criticized TIF money for mega-developments such as Lincoln Yards. Man Martinez / WBEZ

TIF Illumination Project Sheds Light On How Chicago Tax Dollars Are Used

TIFs are one of the main tools in the city’s economic development tool belt, but are often misunderstood due to a lack of transparency.

By Daniel Tucker
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Reset brings on Jonathan Peck and Tom Tresser of the Civic Lab to discuss the group’s TIF Illumination project, which helps the public better understand tax increment financing districts in Chicago.

GUESTS: Tom Tresser, co-founder of CivicLab Chicago

Jonathan Peck, CivicLab Chicago president