Quote:
Originally Posted by the urban politician
But this can be done without Rahm's cooperation.
You don't need a rail extension. People from the south side of Chicago can just drive to factory jobs in Gary.
But it's not happening. Which means that there are some fundamentals to this that don't work.
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I think Indiana as a state has completely written off northwest Indiana. They are blue counties and are basically considered Chicago in Indianapolis. The municipalities are left to their own devices then to attract jobs. Because they don't have money they don't have economic incentive groups like World Business Chicago.
World Business Chicago, though focused largely on bringing HQs to town, also woos companies to the suburbs if that's what the company is looking for. WBC should do a better job of selling NW Indiana as Chicago's "right to work" zone. This does require some cross-border cooperation between Chicago and the Indiana municipalities. We have strong history already in that regard with Gary-Chicago airport. Why not continue that partnership beyond the airport? Still, Indiana's governor would have to step in if state incentives are involved.