The Proposed Ogden-Pulaski TIF:

How Many Backs to We Have to Scratch?

We thank the North Lawndale Community News for continued coverage of the
Proposed Ogden-Pulaski TIF. As a result of your coverage, thousands of people from
North Lawndale are being kept abreast of the latest developments.

The Lawndale Alliance held a town hall meeting with our elected officials to discuss
issues surrounding the Proposed Ogden-Pulaski TIF on October 15 th at the House of
Prayer C.O.G.I.C. Our guests included Alderman Sharon Dixon, State Senator Rickey
Hendon, Alderman Ricardo Munoz, Cook County Commissioner Robert Steele, State
Representative Arthur Turner, and a representative from Congressman Danny
Davis’ Office. While there are a number of issues that remain to be addressed, we
were very pleased with the candor with which our officials discussed their
respective roles in the implementation of the TIF.

At one point during the meeting, Alderman Dixon asked Rev. Scott, Pastor of the
House of Prayer, if he supports “the TIF”. He responded “Yes”. Alderman Dixon
then stated that if Pastor Scott would support the Proposed Ogden-Pulaski TIF, then
he would receive some TIF funding to “fix up” his church. The meeting facilitator,
Joe Ann Bradley, indicated that the House of Prayer is in the Midwest TIF, and that
funds should be available immediately, since the Midwest TIF is already in place.

The Lawndale Alliance wholeheartedly supports the House of Prayer as one of our
members, and as a partner in their efforts to restore its landmark church. However,
we believe that TIF-funded projects should be evaluated on merit, through an open
process, as opposed to whether or not project sponsors support initiatives pushed
by elected officials. It is crucial that the TIF advisory council develop objective
criteria with which to evaluate projects. Otherwise, development in Lawndale will
continue to be “business as usual”.

Valerie F. Leonard

THE LAWNDALE ALLIANCE