CHICAGO | Politics and Current Events

[the urban politician]

^ So definitely organized.

Doesn’t this mean that the FBI should be involved?

[lakeshoredrive]

Do you all think the situation in Chicago would be worse if Rahm was still mayor?

[bnk]

Originally Posted by lakeshoredrive

Do you all think the situation in Chicago would be worse if Rahm was still mayor?

No It would not be worse. How can it get worse than this? Foxx being the mayor maybe.

[the urban politician]

^ The other aspect of this discussion is stability and predictability.

If we knew that property taxes were going to increase incrementally but with a sense that things were under control (pension obligations, etc) then I think most people would stick it out and be willing to ride along.

Chicago is in the unique situation of having a fiscal situation that basically headed towards financial collapse, and no amount of taxing will save it. So it doesn't surprise me that homeowners are bailing.

[sentinel]

Illinois would be SOOO much better off by cutting in half the amount of government units/entities. We have 2,000 MORE that the next highest, which is Pennsylvania, and almost the same exact population count. That. Is. Absurd.

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/rele.../cb12-161.html

I've been talking about the need for government consolidation in Illinois for years, so much fucking overlap (and unnecessary and unwarranted double-dipping)...that is the biggest cancer in this state.

[BorisMolotov]

^ But mah Mosquito Abatement Districts!

[Bonsai Tree]

What we really need is a metropolitan government kinda like what they have a lot of in Europe. London is a great example of this. If we could have a metropolitan government that would solve a shit ton of our problems. The issue is of course- 1. How do you take powers away from the counties 2. How do you take power away from municipal governments. We already have plenty of special districts (as was stated previously) and those could easily be moved under the new metropolitan government (RTA, CMAP, MWRD all under one roof). I'd also propose moving property taxing bodies into this government and not at the county level, along with control of large regional roads and arteries. Essentially creating a government for all of Chicagoland. Imagine how much more interconnected our region could be, how we could increase standardization, promote transit, and have realistic urban growth. One can only dream I guess. . . The only realistic way this happens is if the Feds create it for us just like they did our other regional districts. Maybe some day. . .

[ChiMIchael]

I don't think it's fair to attack IIC. I can understand his departure with a bad taste in his mouth can evoke some emotion, but he has a right to do what's best for him.

The real question can Chicago recover from this or will it define the city's legacy for years to come.

[skysoar]

Originally Posted by ChiMIchael

I don't think it's fair to attack IIC. I can understand his departure with a bad taste in his mouth can evoke some emotion, but he has a right to do what's best for him.

The real question can Chicago recover from this or will it define the city's legacy for years to come.

Of course Chicago will recover, in the age of covid-19 i would not draw any conclusion to any great cities future. All large cities are going through great adversities now but its not time to announce their demise.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by skysoar

Of course Chicago will recover, in the age of covid-19 i would not draw any conclusion to any great cities future. All large cities are going through great adversities now but its not time to announce their demise.

I agree

It’s a very rough road ahead, but Chicago is “too big to fail”

[OrdoSeclorum]

Originally Posted by ChiMIchael

I don't think it's fair to attack IIC. I can understand his departure with a bad taste in his mouth can evoke some emotion, but he has a right to do what's best for him.

The real question can Chicago recover from this or will it define the city's legacy for years to come.

I’m not “attacking” anyone. But to the extent someone hops onto an urbanist, city specific message board just to say he doesn’t like it, well, that’s a bit gauche, but it happens all the time. Cynical folks always want to share it and it’s not worth commenting on.

But it’s been this guy’s schtick for years. He complains about taxes. He loves New York and it’s so much better than other cities. He’s moving to exurban Minnesota. Do whatever you want, but say it once and then stop begging for attention or validation. It’s boring if it’s just neurotic. But whatever it is, it’s lame and I won’t miss it.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by OrdoSeclorum

But it’s been this guy’s schtick for years. He complains about taxes. He loves New York and it’s so much better than other cities. He’s moving to exurban Minnesota. Do whatever you want, but say it once and then stop begging for attention or validation. It’s boring if it’s just neurotic. But whatever it is, it’s lame and I won’t miss it.

So true.

[Investing In Chicago]

Originally Posted by OrdoSeclorum

I’m not “attacking” anyone. But to the extent someone hops onto an urbanist, city specific message board just to say he doesn’t like it, well, that’s a bit gauche, but it happens all the time. Cynical folks always want to share it and it’s not worth commenting on.

But it’s been this guy’s schtick for years. He complains about taxes. He loves New York and it’s so much better than other cities. He’s moving to exurban Minnesota. Do whatever you want, but say it once and then stop begging for attention or validation. It’s boring if it’s just neurotic. But whatever it is, it’s lame and I won’t miss it.

I really like Chicago, the greatest summer city in the country. You surly have me confused with someone else if you think I engage here to bash Chicago. What I don’t enjoy about this city is the corruption and endless tax increases that don’t solve any of the issues the city faces. I also don’t want to raise my kids in neighborhood where the public schools aren’t an option. I’m 37 years old and have a 2 year old and a 3 month old, that’s a very long time to put up with dysfunctional schools and endless property tax increases.

I’m also confused on what you won’t miss? Do we know each other? Don’t worry, I’ll still be in Chicago, probably monthly, tending to my buildings and my customers.

Not that it’s here nor there, but wayzata,MN isn’t the “exurbs” of Minneapolis. It’s probably the wealthiest part of the metro area (homes more expensive than Southport coorodor) and a vibrant downtown. It’s 15 min from downtown MPLS, not that I give a shit about downtown Minneapolis.

[pianowizard]

Originally Posted by BrinChi

Chicago made one of these lists in a positive way:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor.../#9ebad6760a68

"Chicago received more home shopping attention on Zillow this year than it did last, with the majority of traffic coming from St. Louis, Milwaukee and Boston.[/I]

I was contributing to this traffic because I was looking to buy my second home in Chicago. But in light of the recent unrest and worsening homicides, I have picked another city for my second home. The recent looting on the Magnificent Mile was the last straw for me, as I had planned to live in that area. Downtown Chicago is simply not safe any more.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by pianowizard

I was contributing to this traffic because I was looking to buy my second home in Chicago. But in light of the recent unrest and worsening homicides, I have picked another city for my second home. The recent looting on the Magnificent Mile was the last straw for me, as I had planned to live in that area. Downtown Chicago is simply not safe any more.

I live a ten minute walk from N Michigan Ave. While the first big looting event was indeed scary, the second one I didn't even know happened because the cops had it under control mostly by daylight and it didn't start until 2am. It was overblown and doesn't intimidate me.

[the urban politician]

Illinois residents reject fair tax amendment

https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/1...tax-amendment/

[lakeshoredrive]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Illinois residents reject fair tax amendment

https://dailynorthwestern.com/2020/1...tax-amendment/

Not surprised. I wonder what this mean for the future?

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by lakeshoredrive

Not surprised. I wonder what this mean for the future?

A lot of layoffs, furloughs, and possible major reduction of state services.

[the urban politician]

This is the bit of fight I’ve been wanting to see from Mayor Lightfoot. Fighting for some of Chicago’s business owners:

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg...ovid-clampdown

[RedCorsair87]

Has this always been a shared cost? If so, that is insane.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/12...ram-on-jan-11/