Mayoral Election Likely to Have Consequences for Chicago Mega-Development

The most recent citywide election in Chicago was considered a referendum on the old way of operating the city. The $6 billion Lincoln Yards project, on the brink of approval, could be included in that referendum.

1 minute read

April 5, 2019, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

Steve Hamann / Shutterstock

Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot called her election a "mandate for change." There's no denying the margin of the victory: almost 74 percent of all voters supported Lightfoot, winning all wards, and comes into office with 14 new aldermen.

"The old guard has been grievously wounded," according to a column by Eric Zorn that makes the argument that the city's lame duck leadership should avoid action on Lincoln Yards, the controversial $6 billion mega-development planned for 55 acres of former industrial property between Bucktown and Lincoln Park.

The City Council already approved zoning changes for the project in March. The critical question of the tax increment financing district, approved by the Community Development Commission in February, was scheduled for a City Council vote during the lame duck session.

Mayor-elect Lightfoot has not supported the project as proposed, citing its lack of affordable housing and calling to delay the project's approval.

FULL STORY: Lori Lightfoot's landslide victory is a case for delaying the Lincoln Yards TIF vote

Friday, April 5, 2019 in Chicago Tribune

Government / Politics Urban Development Illinois Chicago Lincoln Yards Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot Tax Increment Financing Special Taxing District Mega-Development Mega-Projects Elections View More

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