FOCUS ON: Tax Increment Financing
To encourage development in some neighborhoods, Mayor Daley used Tax Increment Financing, or "TIFs." A TIF program meant that the city government designated some areas in need of economic support, called “TIF districts.” The city then temporarily set aside incremental increases from property tax revenue in that district and used the resulting funds to encourage development there.
Mayor Daley on TIFs and neighborhoods:
TIF districts work. They allow the city to attract and retain jobs, improve neighborhoods, restore historic buildings, clean up contaminated land and provide job training and affordable housing--all without raising local property taxes.
Tax Increment Financing was controversial. Helen Shiller supported some TIFs and opposed others while she was 46th ward alderman (1987-2011). She explains her views: