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2023 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

7. An Inclusive and Equitable New Chicago?

Author : Carolina Sternberg

Published in: Neoliberal Urban Governance

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

This chapter examines Chicago’s governance actors’ shifting rhetoric in response to changes of leadership, mounting social and political discontent, and a post-political transition. Since May 2019, Chicago’s governance has begun to frame a neoliberal urban agenda in distinctively different ways compared to previous administrations. “Building an inclusive and equitable Chicago” has been one of the core priorities for this new phase of neoliberal urban redevelopment, yet, neoliberal core policies and practices continue unchallenged.

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previous chapter Chicago’s Southwest Redevelopment Frontier: Pilsen and Little Village

next chapter Conclusion: Comparing the Urban Governances of Chicago and Buenos Aires

The 25 ward encompasses parts of the Lower West Side, Pilsen, Greek Town, China Town, and University Village/Little Italy.

Described in the previous chapter, the Bloomingdale Trail is a 2.7-mile elevated rail trail running east–west on the northwest side of Chicago.

Approximately, 22% of Chicagoans fell below the Federal Poverty Level in 2020, which means an annual income of $26,200 for a family of four (Sabino 2020).

In a public conference, the initiative INVEST South/West was announced as a long-term program to “leverage $250 million in existing City business development and infrastructure grant funding by way of DPD’s Tax Increment Financing, Small Business Improvement Fund, and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund programs to support neighborhood-based improvement projects to align with local priorities. These investments will build on more than $500 million in planned infrastructure improvements that will provide transportation, housing and quality of life enhancements that will bolster the vitality of the corridors and surrounding community. This includes area infrastructure projects already allocated, including FastTracks improvements to the CTA Green Line, the Auburn Park Metra Station, and a new track and field facility in Gately Park” (Office of the Mayor 2019).

According to Bullard (1999), “environmental racism” refers to “any environmental policy, practice or directive that differentially affects or disadvantages (whether intended or unintended) individuals, groups or communities based on race or color” (5–6).

Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a $370,000 settlement between the city and Hilco and its contractors in November of 2020. The city also imposed $68,000 in fines against the developer. Later, in February 2022, a report released from the city’s watchdog informed that no employees of the Chicago Department of Public Health or the Department of Buildings would be fired or suspended for their roles in the botched demolition of the smokestack at the former Crawford coal-fired power plant (Cherone 2022).

Environmental gentrification “is the process whereby the seemingly progressive discourse of urban sustainability is used to drive up property values and displace low-income residents” (Greenberg and Smith 2022).

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Ballesteros, C., & Roeder, D. (2020). Big changes coming to Little Village Plaza, new owner says. Chicago Sun Times, March 3. https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/3/3/21158421/little-village-plaza-discount-mall-26th-street-novak-construction Accessed, 17 May 2022.

Bullard, R. D. (1999). Confronting environmental racism: Voices from the grassroots. Boston, MA: South End Press.

Bloom, M., & Peña, M. (2020). Invisible evictions: As developers flock to Logan Square and Pilsen, renters quietly forced out. They didn't miss a rent payment or break the rules, but families in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods are getting the boot as landlords look to cash in—With little notice or recourse. Block Club Chicago, February 5.

Cherone, H. (2020). ‘Poverty is killing us—All of us’: Lightfoot pledges to end generational poverty. Block Club Chicago. https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/02/17/poverty-is-killing-us-all-of-us-lightfoot-pledges-to-end-generational-poverty/ Accessed May 5, 2022.

Cherone, H. (2022). No city officials fired or suspended after smokestack implosion: Watchdog https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/02/05/invisible-evictions-as-developers-flock-to-logan-square-and-pilsen-renters-quietly-forced-out/. Accessed May 5, 2022.

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Department of Housing (DOH). (2021). City Council Passes Anti-Conversion Ordinances for Pilsen and the 606. Press Release, January 27. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/doh/provdrs/housing_resources/news/2020/december/mayor-lightfoot-and-department-of-housing-introduces-ant--deconv.html. Accessed April 7, 2021.

Dukmasova, M. (2020). Lightfoot’s surprise tenant protection measure ruffles feathers. Chicago Reader, May 27 https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/lightfoots-surprise-tenant-protection-measure-ruffles-feathers/. Accessed May 5, 2022.

Ecker, D. (2021). Interview for re-imagine Chicago forum ideas forum: Community investment, June 3, organized by WBEZ and University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XN4YLBhfnU Accessed January 26, 2022.

Essoka, J. D. 2010. The gentrifying effects of brownfields redevelopment. Western Journal of Black Studies, 34 (3), 299–315.

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Hernandez, J. (2022) Vendors at little village discount mall told leases will be extended until January 2023. WTTW News. August 29. https://news.wttw.com/2022/08/29/vendors-little-village-discount-mall-told-leases-will-be-extended-until-january-2023. Accessed August 29, 2022.

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Office of the Mayor. (2019). Mayor Lightfoot announces new strategy to support revitalization on City’s South and West Sides. Mayor's Press Office, October 21. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2019/october/RevitalizationSouthWest.html. Accessed March 13, 2022.

Peña, M. (2020a). Pilsen alderman blasts city for pushing landmark district residents don’t want as officials float a smaller plan. Block Club Chicago, October. https://blockclubchicago.org/2020a/10/06/pilsen-alderman-blasts-city-for-pushing-landmark-district-residents-dont-want-as-officials-float-a-smaller-plan/. Accessed, 5 May 5 2022.

Peña, M. (2020b). Pilsen historic landmark district plan killed by key city committee after public outcry. Block Club Chicago, December 1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2020b/12/01/pilsen-historic-landmark-district-plan-killed-by-key-city-committee-after-public-outcry/. Accessed May 5, 2022.

Peña, M. (2021). Pilsen nonprofit breaks ground on long-awaited affordable housing project: ‘We believe in development without displacement.’ Block Club Chicago, September 16. https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/09/16/pilsen-nonprofit-breaks-ground-on-long-awaited-affordable-housing-project-we-believe-in-development-without-displacement/. Accessed February 19, 2022).

Rodkin, Dennis. (2020). Anti-gentrification forces are winning. A change in the climate has developers pulling back. Crain’s Chicago Business, July 31. https://www.housingstudies.org/media/filer_public/1f/70/1f70c060-4994-4354-91b8-43465be54cd9/anti-gentrification_forces_are_winning_in_chicago.htm#off-canvas. Accessed March 10, 2022.

Rodriguez Presa, L. (2020). Little Village Discount Mall gentrification fears follow other signs of redevelopment in neighborhood. Chicago Tribune, September 21. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-little-village-gentrification-20200921-qnpj3hdmnfdrpjqwmdr2ehezwu-story.html. Accessed September 21, 2020.

Sabino, P. (2020). Lightfoot To launch plan to erase Chicago poverty in a generation at thursday summit. Block Club Chicago, February 18. https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/02/18/lightfoot-to-launch-plan-to-erase-chicago-poverty-in-a-generation-at-thursday-summit/. Accessed May 18, 2022.

Serrato, J. (2019). What you need to know about Pilsen’s proposed historic landmark district. Chicago Reporter, July 18. https://www.chicagoreporter.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-pilsens-proposed-historic-landmark-district/. Accessed May 17, 2022.

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Vevea, B. (2022). Has Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot kept her campaign promises? WBEZ Chicago, May 17. https://www.wbez.org/stories/has-chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-kept-campaign-promises/c10b53b9-ee10-4955-a516-c7c780fd496b?utm_source=email&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Web-Share. Accessed May 18, 2022.

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World Population Review. (2022). https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/chicago-il-population. Accessed May 10, 2022.

WTTW News. (2022). January 14. https://news.wttw.com/2022/01/14/no-city-officials-fired-or-suspended-after-smokestack-implosion-watchdog. Accessed May 18, 2022.

Title: An Inclusive and Equitable New Chicago?
Author: Carolina Sternberg
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Book: Neoliberal Urban Governance
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-21717-3

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-031-21718-0

Copyright Year: 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-21718-0_7

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