Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Media / Politics / Clout City The Sun-Times Discovers TIFs
Posted by Ben Joravsky on Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 12:46 AM
I don't know what folks at the Sun-Times have been eating for breakfast these days, but they've been spitting fire when it comes to Mayor Daley and his TIFs.
First there was Abdon Pallasch's Sunday story about how the mayor isn't telling the truth about the program.
And Tuesday brought an editorial follow-up in which they basically say the mayor's either lying or ignorant, or maybe a little of both.
"We don't know what troubles us more," they write. "Either Mayor Daley doesn't understand how the special, secretive slush fund he runs actually gets its money. Or he isn't being straight about a program that last year alone sucked nearly half a billion dollars out of their pockets."
Dang, Mayor Daley. As the kids say—you've been treated!
I couldn't believe I was reading that in a mainstream paper. That sounds like something by me or Mick Dumke—or maybe Angela Caputo or Josh Kalven at Progress Illinois, or Steve Rhodes, or the great Jacqueline Leavy. Oh, wait, it is like something I wrote. Actually, more than once over the years. Well, you know what they say about imitation. I'm flattered, guys.
In the past, mainstream TV and newspaper reporters have told me their editors wouldn't let them write about TIFs because they were too complicated and boring for their readers to understand. And it wasn't too long ago that the Sun-Times extricated any reference to TIFs from its otherwise ass-kicking tale of how Alderman Ed Burke used TIF money to build a fence.
I realize it's easy to underestimate the intelligence of the average Chicagoan, given the chumps we keep electing and re-electing.
But, trust me, most of us are smart enough to know we're paying more in taxes.
I've always said the mayor will get away with this TIF scam so long as the mainstream media remains silent on the subject. Here's hoping they keep up the attack.
Comments (2)
Showing 1-2 of 2
Kudos to Joravsky on bringing transparency to TIFs. But it's a shame he gives Assessor Houlihan a "pass" every time on his quirky interpretation of the alternative homestead exemption in 35 ILCS 200/15-176 that keeps costing Cook County homeowners, arguably, alot more than Daley is diverting in TIF money.
For anyone who's seen their taxes go up while their assessment stayed the same, I'm sure they'd like to know who's responsible for the increase; and blaming government spending, which has remained relatively flat for most local taxing levies, is too simple and too often overlooked by Joravsky and company.
like
dislike
I, Henry George's Ghost Who Walks, should be interviewed and actually endorsed AND elected to public office by EVERY MAJOR newspaper and magazine and internet, popular and public affairs and daily-weekly and week-end news show locally and NATIONALLY AND internationally, and so should EVERY man, woman and child who vouch-safe's themselves a Georgist! Not only is it unfair, un-just, it's totally ridiculous, and asinine and silly to TOTALLY reject and ignore the Georgeist point of view! Why should the Chicago Sun-Times and other organs turn their back on us? First of all, they're hypocrites; Second, we dont screw with peoples minds like the so-called liberal-socialist-communist/Conservatory press/electronic mediums and political parties do! Except for the Green, Independent, and Libertarians We LET people ACTUALLY THINK! Our only agenda is motivating people locally, nationally, continentally, and world-wide to ACTUALLY think AND THEN DO the Single Land Value Tax!!! AND, LVT is so versatile, and flexible it can FUND: EDUCATION, Mass Transit, Health Care insurance, Public Capital Projects, and wortwhile research! So there's absolutely no sense wasting time ignoring and rejecting any of Henry George's thoeries,ideas, and method's for the economic and social solutions that plague us ALL like land and resource monopoly and speculation!!!! That's why Henry George's Ghost Who Walks wants to be elected BOTH Mayor of Chicag, and Governor of Illinois!!! Thanks!!!
Latest in Bleader
-
This week on the B Side
A young face at the CSO, words with Die Antwoord's Ninja, music tips from locals, and much more
- Feb 9, 2012
-
Oscar-nominated live-action shorts: Pentecost
The year's contenders open for a theatrical run at Landmark's Century Centre.
- Feb 9, 2012
-
The venue formerly known as Pancho's
Logan Square venue Pancho's changes its name (and lots of other things) to become Township
- Feb 9, 2012
- More »
Author Archives
-
Merry Christmas from the Reader to the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago City Council
A Merry Christmas to the Chicago City Council
- Dec 25, 2011
-
Chicago aldermen have no money for libraries but millions for ward map fight
Another day, another alderman squabbling over the ward map
- Dec 21, 2011
-
Teach the children: Taking TIFs to high school students
Public high school students figure out the TIF scam—what's the matter with the rest of Chicago?
- Feb 6, 2012
- More »
