This archive contains articles by Reader staff writer Ben Joravsky on Chicago's TIF (tax increment financing) districts.

Get Off the Pot October 2, 2008
There’s a solution to the city’s deficit. It’s not legal, but since when is that a problem?

The Road to 2016 June 19, 2008
. . . is paved with rubber-stamp votes like the City Council's decision on the Children's Museum.

It's the Mayor, Stupid September 28, 2008
The city's facing a $420 million deficit, but as usual it's somebody else's fault.

The TIF That Keeps On Taking June 5, 2008
The city has found a way to extend the life of its oldest, fattest tax increment financing district.

The Mystery of the Construction Obstructionist May 29, 2008
Why is Alderman Ray Suarez blocking a new school that could ease overcrowding in his ward?

A New Twist on an Old Trick March 6, 2008
If the state has its way, a TIF on sales taxes means you’ll be funding the rehab of Wrigley Field.

We Might Take Your House January 17, 2008
The latest TIF proposal allocates $10 million for a "potential" land grab by the city.

A Good Day for the Rainmakers January 17, 2008
The well-connected score again as the city works out new TIF deals for a former alderman, a wealthy private hospital, and a big car dealer.

The True TIF Tally November 22, 2007
Cook County clerk David Orr reveals—nay, publicizes—that TIFs sucked up more than $500 million in property taxes last year.

TIFs for Dummies November 1, 2007
The city finally posts some (mis)information about its tax increment financing program online.

Pedaling While Rome Burns September 28, 2007
As the CTA goes off the rails, what's the mayor up to?

Fair Warning September 14, 2007
The city has reserved the right to wipe out this block for a developer to be named later.

A Sucker’s System August 17, 2007
Only in Chicago could an $8 million affordable-housing subsidy in Edgewater cost taxpayers $75 million.

The Millions for the Merger July 27, 2007
Why is the city offering $40 million in public money to subsidize the Merc's merger with the Chicago Board of Trade?

TIF for Tat June 29, 2007
Why the governor is suddenly so interested in the mayor’s pet financing scheme.

A Study in Contrasts June 22, 2007
A Wilmette middle school spends more than $14,000 per kid; Chicago gets ready to dole out $65 million to developers.

A TIF That Might Make Sense May 25, 2007
The city's plan for the old main post office

Will the Games Displace Their Games? May 11, 2007
Washington Park's users fear the Olympics will leave them nowhere to play.

Think Smaller April 20, 2007
While Chicago courts the Olympics, future Olympians practice in school hallways.

Where Appointed Officials Fear to Tread April 13, 2007
In Oak Park, the school boards have demanded their money back from TIFs.

Let the Games Begin March 16, 2007
The question isn't whether the public will pay--it's how the city will hide the amount.

TIF Now, Ask Questions Later March 2, 2007
Good intentions aren’t enough to justify the city's latest slush fund.

A Lightning Rod in Logan Square February 16, 2007
The Mega Mall is a megaissue in the 35th Ward race.

Does East Garfield Park Need a TIF? January 19, 2007
The city says it can develop 54 vacant lots on the west side without drawing on the local slush fund.

Sweet Deal January 5, 2007
The company that shuttered the west-side Brach's plant in 2003 is coming back, enticed by $880,000 in TIF funds.

With Friends Like These December 1, 2006
If Daley and Madigan truly supported the property tax cap, don't you think it would've passed by now?

Playing Both Sides November 24, 2006
If you’re a black alderman, who do you back for mayor?

There It Is, Right on Page 19 November 10, 2006
Almost all the vendors who got paid out of the Pilsen TIF last year are donors to the Daley and Solis campaigns.

Preposterous October 27, 2006
The mayor's new budget is built on BS.

TIF Watch October 20, 2006
So far the LaSalle Central TIF has been rubber-stamped by two different oversight panels. Next stop is the City Council's finance committee, which meets on October 23.

Whose Slush Fund Is It Anyway? October 13, 2006
In the 47th Ward, an alderman gets a rude awakening. Before long, we all will.

Repeat After Me: TIFs Are Great October 6, 2006
Why would the Cook County Board give up a chance to have some control over how the city spends property taxes?

Sleight of Hand September 29, 2006
Daley’s big-box brouhaha obscured the rubber-stamping of the LaSalle Central TIF.

All the King's Aldermen September 22, 2006
How City Council really works

The Lone Gunman September 8, 2006
Reform-minded county commissioner Mike Quigley is gearing up to take on TIFs--and by extension Mayor Daley.

The Big Budget Bamboozle September 1, 2006
With an election coming up, the mayor takes his magic show on the road.

Pass the Donuts August 18, 2006
The board that’s supposed to hold the line against TIFs rubber-stamps another one.

Million Dollar Lies August 11, 2006
The tax bill for 77 W. Wacker is just one glaring example of how the county helps the city hide the real cost of TIFs.

Financial Aid for the Financial District? July 21, 2006
Never mind whether the LaSalle Central TIF district is a good idea--we couldn’t afford it even if it were.

Lucky Loyola July 07, 2006
Just months after securing millions in TIF funds from the city, the tax-exempt religious institution bags another big handout from the state.

The Schools Scam June 23, 2006
Under the TIF system millions of dollars in property taxes are being diverted from education to development.

Can You Spot the Blight? June 09, 2006
Insiders say Mayor Daley wants to re-up the Central Loop TIF, a barely overseen slush fund that sucks tax dollars away from schools and other public services in the name of stimulating development.

Officially Screwed March 24, 2006
In one amazingly dumb deal, the city stiffed a property owner, the developer who would get his land, and itself.

That Funny Opaque Kind of Transparency March 17, 2006
Alderman Rey Colon wants to know if voters in the 35th Ward approve of their TIF, but what does he plan to do if they don't?

You Want Blight? You Got Blight. February 24, 2006
City planners and a well-placed developer with well-placed friends turn the TIF process on its ear.

Public Funds, Private Windfall January 27, 2006
The deal's all but sealed: tax revenues meant for the public good will fund a face-lift for tax-exempt Loyola.

Those Slippery TIFs December 9, 2005
The Pilsen tax increment financing fund was created to promote industry. How does a 391-condo development qualify?

Please, Sir, We Want Some More August 12, 2005
The schools are afraid to ask Daley for money that should have been theirs to begin with.

Crazy Kruesi--His Prices Are Insane! April 29, 2005
If the CTA's broke, how can it afford to let Wilson Yard go for below market value?

Show Us the Money February 4, 2005
TIF districts are siphoning hundreds of millions of dollars away from schools and other city services, and nobody even has to tell us why.

The Government Is Lying To You! December 10, 2004
Even city and county officials admit it: if you live in a TIF district, your property tax bill is misreporting where your money goes.

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