Mayor Lays Out Vision for Boosting Economic Growth in Minority Neighborhoods

Mayor Lori Lightfoot met with the Black Press at City Hall on Dec. 13, 2019 where she laid out her vision to improve economic development on the South and West Sides. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson
Mayor Lori Lightfoot met with the Black Press at City Hall on Dec. 13, 2019 where she laid out her vision to improve economic development on the South and West Sides. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

Mayor Lays Out Vision for Boosting Economic Growth in Minority Neighborhoods

BY WENDELL HUTSON

Contributing Writer

During her first media roundtable discussion with the Black Press at City Hall, Mayor Lori Lightfoot adamantly spoke about her plan for boosting economic development in minority neighborhoods, particularly on the South and West Sides.

After first acknowledging that the city of Chicago historically has not done a good job making sure economic development spurs in every neighborhood not just the affluent ones, she laid out her plan to change things around.

“A recent study identified $200 million a year is being spent by Austin residents at businesses in Oak Park because those services are not available on the West Side,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “So clearly, there’s buying power in Austin, but Chicago is missing out on tax revenue. That’s why I am hoping a new initiative I launched last month will change that pattern of spending.”

According to Lightfoot, the “INVEST South/West” program will leverage resources from public, private and nonprofit sectors to revitalize commercial corridors in ten economically challenged neighborhoods, such as Roseland, South Chicago, Auburn Gresham, Englewood, South Shore, New City, Humboldt Park, Austin, North Lawndale, and Quad Communities.

She added that the program is geared towards “reversing decades of disinvestment on Chicago’s South and West Sides.”

But when it comes to the South Side, the mayor said she is committed to growing the economy with projects that will drive more development. For example, the Pullman Park development, whose retail portion is anchored by Walmart, has increased foot traffic to the Pullman area, according to Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), whose ward encompasses much of the Far South Side.

Lightfoot said that’s why Roseland is among the neighborhoods targeted by the new initiative.

“There are a lot of things happening on the South Side like the redevelopment of the National Monument in Pullman, and that’s why INVEST South/West is such an important program for neighborhoods that have struggled to grow their economy,” added Lightfoot.

She was non-committal when asked if she’d like to see a casino placed on the Far South Side, as Beale has suggested is needed to boost tourism “through the roof.”

But one thing the mayor said South Side neighborhoods like Roseland would benefit from is the pending Obama Presidential Center (OPC) in Jackson Park despite residents living nearby fearful the center would displace them.

“My goal is to make sure we are doing everything we can to address the concerns of residents worried about being able to stay in their neighborhood,” said Lightfoot.

The mayor said she attended a community meeting this summer for the OPC and got an ear full from residents concerned about employment opportunities and if a Community Benefits Agreement would be in place to prevent displacement.

“After attending the meeting what became clear to me is that the city had not really been engaged in this process, and what was happening was a void pitting people (living in the neighborhood) and advocates on one side and the Obama Center and the University of Chicago on the other side.”

Right away, Lightfoot said she took action to ensure fairness for everyone.

“I told my team (after leaving that meeting) we have got to step into this void and own responsibility for the role the city should be playing,” explained Lightfoot. “The Obama Presidential Center being in Chicago is a huge benefit. It has the potential to completely transform the South Side if we do it right.”

One thing the mayor said she has no plans to change even though it would create a new revenue stream, is lifting a liquor ban on strip clubs.

“I see booming liquor sales going on in economically challenged neighborhoods where crime is high. I would love to restrict the hours and operations of liquor stores,” said Lightfoot. “There are all kinds of stuff happening in these stores, in the parking lot and around the areas that is not fundamentally good for those communities.”

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.