Chicago Gives $8.5 million to Car Dealership in Wealthy Neighborhood

Ben Jaravsky of the Chicago Reader reports on Chicago's slush fund called TIF (Tax Increment Financing) districts. Some Chicago residents are beginning to ask questions:

the $8.5 million handout to Grossinger Auto Group in 2008, to cite just one example of how this program intended to fight blight in poor communities has been abused. Grossinger apparently needed help financing a new dealership at North and Clybourn—you know, that severely blighted intersection on the near north side that's surrounded by bustling retail outlets and new condos.

Rent seeking gone wild.