Chicago Pays Billions for Continued Segregation

The Urban Institute and the Metropolitan Planning Council studied the social and economic impacts of segregation in the Chicago region.

1 minute read

April 10, 2017, 5:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


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Racial and economic segregation costs Chicago about $8 billion in annual GDP, according to a report from the Metropolitan Planning Council and the Urban Institute.

The high degree of segregation in Chicago is "not new information" in itself, a researcher told Chicago Tonight. But its effects—as felt in the areas of economic growth, educational attainment, and crime rates—have now been more thoroughly quantified.

For example, the report notes that the Chicago region could earn $4.4 billion more in income if it were only as segregated as the current national median. But without a change in course, even that level of desegregation could take until the year 2070. Researchers at MPC and the Urban Institute will now begin studying potential policy actions that could accelerate that pace.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in Chicago Tonight

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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

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