That Funny Opaque Kind of Transparency
Fat chance of that. TIFs are the only planning subsidy in town, so aldermen either go along with them or watch development dollars go to other wards. There are now 140 TIF districts devouring well over $300 million a year in property taxes. “I didn’t create this system,” Colon says. “But I have to play in it.”
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The TIF running through the 35th Ward is typically vexing. Created in 2000 by Colon’s predecessor, Vilma Colom, it was primarily intended for commercial development along Milwaukee between Fullerton and Armitage. In 2005 the city expanded the TIF to stretch along Belmont to Pulaski in the 31st Ward. Then it approved TIF expenditures of several million dollars to help finance the transformation of the old Florsheim shoe factory on Belmont near Pulaski into a loft condominium complex. Thus property tax dollars diverted for commercial property in the 35th Ward wound up subsidizing upscale housing in the 31st. Even Colon’s not sure why that development got bumped to the front of the line. “I think [powerful 31st Ward alderman Ray Suarez] got his proposal in first,” he says drily.
Colon insists he has nothing specific in mind. “If voters vote yes, I have an idea of what voters want.” And if they vote no? “Something’s going to come. If they vote no, the process will continue.”
Over 23 years ago a relatively unknown south-side committeeman named John Stroger stood before his precinct workers in his Cottage Grove office and demanded that they bring out the vote for state’s attorney Richard M. Daley.
But why should he? No matter who wins Daley knows he’ll get his way. And just to make sure, his brother, commissioner John Daley, chairman of the board’s finance committee, will be watching closely.
He certainly won’t owe either Stroger or Claypool if he gets elected. Stroger supports Moreno, who’s been loyal to the board president, and Claypool doesn’t support anyone–he can’t afford to offend any of the local powers behind Moreno.
