Chicago Infrastructure Bank's Low Balance Challenges its Founding Vision

When it was launched by Mayor Emanuel and Bill Clinton, the Chicago Infrastructure Trust was promoted as an innovative model for how U.S. cities could fund improvements. But after a year and a half, the bank is struggling to fulfill its promise.

1 minute read

November 26, 2013, 7:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj

With cities across the country seeking ways to de more with less, the Chicago Infrastructure Trust - launched with much fanfare in March of 2012 - has been held up as a promising model for attracting private investment to help improve public resources.

"Today it’s been more than a year and a half since the trust was created, and Emanuel has little to show for the program that some speculated would be his crowning achievement," writes Ryan Holeywell. "The trust only last month approved its first deal. With so few tangible accomplishments so far, that raises a crucial question: Is Chicago’s program really one worth replicating?"

FULL STORY: Is the Big Build-Up of Chicago’s Infrastructure Bank Justified?

Monday, November 25, 2013 in Governing

Government / Politics Infrastructure Illinois Chicago Infrastructure Trust Public-Private Partnerships

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