Why Is Chicago’s Rail Extension Funding Considered Controversial? – Governing

The TIF district that’s planned to fund the Red Line Extension is different from the typical Chicago use of the tool. For one thing, the school district would still collect its full share of the property tax in the district. It’s also unique in that it would generate the tax increment in an area with more economic activity closer to the urban core and distribute its benefits to a public project in the South Side. CTA has referred to it as an “equity TIF,” though that’s not an official designation.