Some residents feel ‘locked out’ of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot program investments west, south: Illinois response

Chicago (WLS) — A Chicago initiative aimed at increasing investment in underserved areas has received mixed reactions from some.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s acclaimed Invest South/West program aims to spend $750 million in areas in need of development. When Lightfoot announced the program a few months into her term, she promised “community-based planning and development strategies that ensure equitable investment in the South and West.”

But Illinois Answers Project reporter Sidney King said some residents feel shut out of real decision-making.

“At the end of the day, they’re not really sure how the development is chosen,” King said. increase.”

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ABC7 contacted the city about a report from the Illinois Answers Project. Chicago’s Office of Planning and Development responded with the following statement:

“While this story may accurately reflect the sentiments of 12 individuals, thousands of other stakeholders who participated in unprecedented levels of community engagement through conferences, workshops, surveys and other strategies, Mostly ignoring relevant facts and data to the contrary, including the opinions of those involved, have contributed to making INVEST South/West a model for urban regeneration.

While the City sympathizes with residents whose program personal goals have yet to be realized due to market conditions, financial realities, and related factors, this article prioritizes complaints over critical analysis. and prioritize short-term problems over long-term improvements. One-sided conclusions rather than objective reporting. It also dismissed the program’s overall success of generating more than $2 billion in public and private investment commitments in an area where there was little significant investment three years ago. The City encourages reporters to continue to monitor the INVEST South/West process and results in the coming months. ”

For more information on this survey, please visit the Illinois Answers Project website.