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Illinois Answers Project

Illinois Answers Project

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Alex Nitkin

Alex Nitkin is a solutions reporter conducting investigations on efforts to fix broken systems in Chicago, Cook County and Illinois government. Before joining Illinois Answers, he worked as a reporter and editor for The Daily Line covering Cook County and Chicago government. He previously worked at The Real Deal Chicago, where he covered local real estate news, and DNAinfo Chicago, where he worked as a breaking news reporter and then as a neighborhood reporter covering the city's Northwest Side. A New York City native who grew up in Connecticut, Alex graduated Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism with a bachelor’s degree.

anitkin@illinoisanswers.org
Coach house
Posted inSolutions

A Popular Affordable Housing Initiative Is Ripe For Expansion in Chicago — But When?

by Alex Nitkin June 7, 2023June 8, 2023

City officials and multiple alderpeople agree the Additional Dwelling Unit program deserves a boost. But amid political and logistical hurdles, they warn it will take time.

Illinois State Capitol
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability

Chicago Pension Reform Teed Up As Veto Session Priority

by Alex Nitkin May 31, 2023June 1, 2023

Mayor Brandon Johnson put the brakes on controversial pension legislation while other tax-related bills cleared the General Assembly

All-gendered restroom.
Posted inEquity & Economic Opportunity

Illinois Gender-Neutral Bathroom Bill Was Tip of the Iceberg for Trans-Inclusive Legislation Passed This Session

by Alex Nitkin May 24, 2023May 23, 2023

As anti-trans legislation piles up in red states, Springfield is looking to raise a ‘beacon’ for inclusiveness in the Midwest

Mayor Brandon Johnson, seen here at his augural address earlier this month, says he wants to change the way Chicago schools are funded to create greater equity. (Credit: Getty file photo)
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability

Mayor Brandon Johnson Says He’ll Reopen the City’s Mental Health Clinics. It Won’t Be As Easy as It Sounds.

by Alex Nitkin May 17, 2023June 9, 2023

The mayor’s top allies say beefing up the city’s direct mental health services will be a long-term project. That means new clinics won’t open overnight.

Senator Robert Martwick is proposing legislation to fix IL Tier 2 pensions law, which may be depriving workers of their retirement benefits.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability

A Pension ‘Fix’ Could Blow a Hole in City Budgets. Here’s Why Supporters Say It’s Worth It.

by Alex Nitkin May 10, 2023May 10, 2023

A group of bills moving through the legislature would balloon Chicago’s and Cook County’s pension benefits at a time when taxpayers are already being pressed.

Tax assessments have fallen for the Macy's property at Schaumburg's Woodfield Mall, meaning more of the community's property tax burden will spread elsewhere.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability

Tax Hikes to Ebb for Many North Suburban Businesses, Leaving Homeowners on the Hook

by Alex Nitkin May 3, 2023May 4, 2023

Thousands of homeowners in north and northwest Cook County are in for sticker shock this fall, data shows

Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability

Brandon Johnson Wants To Raise $800M in New Revenue. Can He?

by Alex Nitkin April 19, 2023April 21, 2023

Johnson has surfaced at least a half-dozen ideas to find more money to close the city’s structural deficit. All will face high hurdles in the way of implementation.

Properties are being reassessed in Chicago's south suburbs this year, including Homewood. Early indicators show homeowners and retailers there could be in for big increases.
Posted inEquity & Economic Opportunity

South-Suburban Homeowners Next in Line for Property Tax Pain

by Alex Nitkin April 12, 2023June 9, 2023

3 years after home valuations were deflated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ‘we’re going to see the pendulum swing,’ one official says

Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation used Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to build the affordable Lucy Gonzalez Parsons apartments, which opened in 2022. Leaders of Bickerdike say they'll get more opportunities to build more like it if the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit Act passes.
Posted inEquity & Economic Opportunity

Bill for New State-Backed Tax Credit Could Yield Thousands More Affordable Units per Year

by Alex Nitkin April 5, 2023June 9, 2023

The Build Illinois Homes tax credit proposal is building momentum in the Illinois General Assembly, but critics have flagged its $35 million annual cost.

Chicago City Hall
Posted inSolutions

4 Ideas Being Floated for a More Effective City Council

by Alex Nitkin March 29, 2023April 10, 2023

More committees, better transparency and even Chicago-specific political parties have been proposed as the council looks to declare its independence.

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Here at the Illinois Answers Project, our team of reporters work every day to uncover waste and wrongdoing in government, hold public officials accountable, and lift up solutions to Illinois’ most pressing problems.

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