John,
When I ran for Mayor, I promised we would reverse a decades-long trend of disinvestment in our neighborhoods, particularly on our South and West Sides. Over the last 26 months, we have used the power of city government to do just that.
We’re bringing the public and private sector together to spur hundreds of millions of dollars of inclusive development in South and West Side communities through our INVEST South/West initiative. We’re also addressing decades of neglect to our infrastructure and creating jobs for Chicagoans through our multi-billion dollar Chicago Works program.
It’s no coincidence that the communities at the forefront of our efforts have also been the communities most impacted by this pandemic. The disproportionate impact COVID-19 had on our South and West Sides was the result of decades of neglect and scarce investment. That’s why my administration is responding by doubling down on our long-term mission to fight poverty and disinvestment.
At the beginning of this week, I joined city and industry leaders in Washington Park at the DuSable Museum of African American History to award $10 million to support the development of 27 local businesses on our South and West Sides. The grants come from our Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, which my administration transformed to better support Chicago’s local entrepreneurs.
At the end of June, I announced in North Lawndale that the city will sell 250 nearby city-owned lots to a city-backed venture to build 250 single-family homes and give community residents an opportunity for affordable homeownership. We know that owning a home is a significant factor in future financial stability and this project will provide community members the freedom and space they need to raise a family and build generational wealth.
This is not just my mission. I’ve heard from community leaders, CEOs, unions, advocacy organizations and regular Chicagoans who understand that Chicago must invest in and uplift every neighborhood in order to thrive.
Let’s continue to build a more prosperous and inclusive Chicago together.
Best,
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot
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