Tax Increment Financing District Proposed for Chicago's Big Flyover Transit Project

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is looking for ways to raise local funds to help secure the federal funds necessary for the CTA's Red-Purple Bypass Project.

1 minute read

August 12, 2016, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Chicago

Thomas Barrat / Shutterstock

"Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel plans to propose a special taxing district to secure $600 million in federal loans to pay for the CTA's massive Red-Purple Line modernization project, which includes a controversial flyover north of the Belmont station," reports Mary Wisniewski. The special taxing district would make use of recently approved legislation allowing the creation of new tax increment financing districts.

The necessary funding for the project remains a significant hurdle for the project. "The first phase of the project costs $2.1 billion," according to Wisniewski, but "the CTA can access $1.1 billion in federal funds if it can find a local match for the remainder." Hence the proposed tax increment financing district.

The Red-Purple Bypass project was first pitched in April 2014 as a way to unclog a mid-North Side rail junction of hundreds of Red, Brown and Purple line trains every day. Since then, the project has also received its fair share of criticism.

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City