Lincoln Yards approved by Chicago City Council, only TIF votes remain

As protestors packed City Hall on Wednesday, a divided Chicago City Council approved the controversial $6 billion Lincoln Yards megadevelopment. The 33-14 vote note only represents the final step in the massive project’s zoning process, but a legacy-defining moment for outgoing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Following the council’s majority decision to back developer Sterling Bay’s plan, Emanuel addressed the chamber and defended his support for the project as a way to help solve Chicago’s mounting fiscal woes.

“You use the ability to grow in the city, and the jobs, to become a way to find the resources to address all the issues that, individually, members have asked for to be spoken to,” said Emanuel, according to the Chicago Tribune. “Otherwise, you can just either cut police, fire, garbage services, or you can just tax folks.”

Others, including mayor candidates Toni Preckwinkle and Lori Lightfoot, remain unconvinced. They echo a chorus of aldermen, community activists, journalists, and neighbors to speak out against the project, its rapid pace of approval, and the use of tax increment financing (TIF) subsidies to reimburse Sterling Bay for over $1 billion for infrastructure improvements.

An ordinance supporting the proposed Cortland/Chicago River TIF district was also introduced on Wednesday. The measure is expected to go before the city’s Finance Committee and then back before the council for final approval next month. These votes will take place after the April 2 runoff election, but before Emanuel officially departs office in May.

At Wednesday’s council meeting, protestors were also out in force against Emanuel’s plan to construct a new $95 million training center for police and first responders on vacant land in West Garfield Park. Opponents argued that the funds should go towards investments in the community instead of the Chicago Police Department—especially in light of the murder of Laquan Mcdonald.

Although technically separate from the Lincoln Yards plan, the proposed police academy was financed through the city’s sale of its former Department of Fleet and Facility complex to Sterling Bay. The 18-acre riverfront site will become what the developer is calling Lincoln Yards South. The council voted 38-8 in favor of West Side training facility.