Money for Retailers on Chicago's South and West Sides

In Chicago, which has seen closures by retailers like Sears, Macy's, and others, Mayor Emanuel is offering some relief in the form of grants.

1 minute read

March 3, 2017, 1:00 PM PST

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Southside Chicago

Niko Hays / Shutterstock

"Rahm Emanuel has earmarked $16 million in special tax money to try to jump-start the fortunes of struggling shopping areas in eight neighborhoods on the South, Southwest and West sides, the city announced Tuesday," reports John Byrne in the Chicago Tribune. These funds are available for entrepreneurs looking to rehab buildings and to chambers of commerce who intend to build infrastructures and add amenities like lighting in neighborhoods like: Austin, Chatham, and Englewood.

Emanuel frequently faces critics that claim he cares more about the city's bustling downtown than the city's struggling areas. "Black and Latino aldermen have long complained about a lack of attention and money from the city to keep up their once-bustling local shopping districts," Byrne writes. This project funded with tax increment financing (TIF) money (often characterized as the mayor's slush fund) may give the administration a way to combat that claim.

Monday, February 27, 2017 in Chicago Tribune

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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

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.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Regeneration of contaminated industrial land used for waste dumping, West Midlands, UK, 2006 .

EPA Awards $267 Million to Clean Up and Reuse Contaminated Sites

The EPA is investing the funds to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites nationwide, supporting economic growth, community revitalization, and environmental restoration.

4 hours ago - Environmental Protection

Archway made of bikes in Knoxville, Tennessee over Tennessee River.

Knoxville Dedicates $1M to New Greenway

The proposed greenway would run along North Broadway and connect to 125 miles of existing trails.

6 hours ago - WATE

25mph speed limit sign with digital "Your Speed" sign below it.

Philadelphia Launches ‘Speed Slots’ Traffic Calming Pilot

The project focuses on a 1.4-mile stretch of Lincoln Drive where cars frequently drive above the posted speed limit.

May 18 - WHYY