As reported in The Chicago Sun-Times, some 150 teachers, parents and activists went to Grossinger City Autoplex and demanded a check for $4 million. They were upset that the private auto dealership received $8.5 million in TIF funds in 2008 for their move into their new HQ on Weed Street, in the hottest retail district in north Chicago (across the street from the Clybourn Red Line Station and the new Apple Store).
Cook County Clerk David Orr spoke to the protesters:
“There’s a giant myth being spread all across this land … that local governments have no money, they need to take it out of the backs of teachers, take away their pensions,” Cook County Clerk David Orr told the cheering protesters. “Chicago ain’t broke. Chicago has put $2 billion tax dollars that the public doesn’t know about into these TIFs and there’s another $500 million being added every year. There needs to be a moratorium on these TIFs because there has been enormous abuse. They are supposed to go to blighted areas. It’s gone to Willis Towers. It’s gone to Grossinger. It’s gone to other major corporations. As we uncover the mayor’s slush fund, which this is, we’re going to discover that money can go to help the schools.”
Several people were arrested at the auto dealership, including a teacher and an activist for ADAPT, a disability rights organization.
The TIF Report is dedicated to uncovering and exposing TIF abuse across Chicago and Cook County.
