Vacant storefronts litter neighborhood business districts in disinvested communities, causing blight, impacting safety, and depressing economic activity. Because of the negative impact of vacant properties in neighborhoods across the city, a robust coalition of chambers and place-based organizations worked with the Cook County Assessor to put guardrails around a tax break property owners can receive when their property is vacant. Fueled by the support of The Chicago Community Trust, these efforts have resulted in a significant policy change that can reduce vacancies and revitalize neighborhood business districts by transforming vacant spaces into thriving small businesses.

We are thankful to WGN for covering the new policy change. You can watch it here!

We look forward to further advancing policies that support local businesses and commercial corridors.