An analysis by the Inspector General’s Office found redundancy in some special tax designations costs some Cook County property taxpayers $7 million each year. Chicago is effectively “taxing a tax,” said Inspector General Joe Ferguson, squeezing TIF money out of SSA property owners based on conflicting valuations of certain property. more ›

The Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center site is being considered for redevelopment as the Olympic Village, moving the proposed site west off the lakefront. Colliers Bennett & Kahnweiler Inc. has already received bids on the land, which Medline Industries Inc., Michael Reese's parent company, is trying to unload. The hospital is in discussions with Cook County to form a potential partnership, although no formal agreement has been reached yet. Among the benefits of moving... more ›

It's hard not to love Chicago's MacArthur Foundation because even when they cut funds for something you cherish, they continue to support tons of other amazing services, community programs, and on and on. The newest rabbit with a hat up its sleeve is a boatload of money for sixteen ailing Chicago neighborhoods the Local Initiatives Support Corporation* is concentrating on with its New Communities Program. In what someone (but who?!) calls "the nation's largest community... more ›

The North-Clybourn shopping district is about to get a lot more congested. Crain's ran a piece this weekend about more retail development in the areas around Clybourn Avenue between North Avenue and Division Street, including a massive 350,000-square-foot shopping center at the New City YMCA site. That complex will be joined by the new home of the British School of Chicago on Halsted, which will include 90,000 square feet of retail, redevelopment of two industrial sites, and undisclosed plans for a lot near Kingsbury and Division. more ›

As playwrights age, their work may increasingly confront how they, or anyone, will be remembered after death. Their passing will command respectful obituaries and festivals in tribute, but it’s also the moment when they relinquish all control of their legacy. What a terrifying thought for someone who’s made a living playing God! This season, the Goodman and Shattered Globe pay tribute to Pulitzer Prize winners August Wilson (1945-2005) and Arthur Miller (1915-2005), respectfully, in productions... more ›

Here at the Chicagoist offices, we're keeping an eye on some of the bigger ward races in town, as well as a few that we just find interesting. The weirdness and anger in the 46th Ward, for example, occupies a lot of our time, as do the accusations and oddball press releases that come out of 49. The 7th Ward is always a fun distraction, and anytime we see Beavers and Jackson in the news,... more ›

Celebrate Ben Franklin's 300th birthday with the Bikini Bandits and Phillyist! (NSFW). Speaking of Mr. Franklin, send in a picture of Ben (or Ed Rendell) with a red tongue and win a free t-shirt. And they might have the next YearlyKos in Philly. more ›

Being the world’s largest village simply isn’t enough. Skokie wants to be trendy, too! And create economic growth. That’s why the village is developing a technology park. more ›

One of the ironies about living in Bridgeport is that, for a neighborhood with a significant amount of Italian Americans, there aren't a lot of choices for Italian dining in the neighborhood. Unless one weighs his case for variety by counting all the pizza joints and sandwich shops, for years our only options were Gio’s Café & Deli or Franco Ristorante. When Chicagoist made the move to Bridgeport seven years ago, there was a place at 31st and Wallace called Graziano’s. Graziano’s had candles on the tables and served chianti in carafes. Other than that, and a chicken vesuvio sandwich so oily it moved like a fish trying to get off a hook, it wasn’t a place we’d have recommended to visitors. more ›

With their hero capes waving behind them in the sparse Springfield wind, Illinois lawmakers made a startling move to trounce one form of evil-doage. It was the House that voted, in an extreme majority (85-6), to defy the U.S. Supreme Court’s lead and firmly censure the rights of municipalities to take land from the landowner and give it to developers in the name of eminent domain. The Senate will see this more sweeping legislation again,... more ›