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Chicago's Pay-to-Play Zoning

Posted by: Nate Berg
Thanks to: Lynn Stevens
30 January 2008 - 1:00pm

A series of articles from the Chicago Tribune that look at zoning and the politics that shape the city's land use.

Aldermanic prerogative and well-timed political campaign contributions spell U-P-Z-O-N-E in Chicago. "The real zoning code in Chicago is unwritten, but developers know it well: Changes in zoning go hand in hand with contributions to aldermanic campaigns."

"In an unprecedented investigation of city development, the Tribune examined 5,700 zoning changes approved by the City Council over the last decade...."

"Anyone driving around town has seen how the face of Chicago has been transformed:" condo canyons, French embassies stick out among traditional cottages and two-flats.

First in a series of articles on zoning tradition in Chicago, followed by a look at community groups' input in the process and additional cozy relationships.

Full Story: How cash, clout transform Chicago neighborhoods
Source: The Chicago Tribune, January 26, 2008
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One great asset of this part of town, and other older neighborhoods across America, is something as simple as sidewalks, which make it easier to break out of your private sphere by taking a walk and talking to neighbors. That's an impossible dream in many new subdivisions.
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