Authors Rachel Weber, Ph.D. Stephanie Farmer, Ph.D. Mary Donoghue Abstract Our study sheds light on the multiple, often conflicting interests that school districts must balance to plan for the capital needs of school-age populations. We investigate the factors that led to the closure of public schools in Chicago between 2000 […]
Household Stress in the Chicago Region: A multiple indicator study
Author James H. Lewis Abstract Census data can be utilized to create an index of potential household stressors comprised of 10 indicators based on 27 different items. The index was created through face validity based on available census data, with indicator constructs validated with factor analysis. Full Text PDF »
Youth Employment Data: Employment to Population Ratios for 16 to 19 and 20 to 24 Year Olds by Chicago Community Area, 2005-2009 to 2010-2014
Author Matthew D. Wilson Abstract Issues of youth employment have gained much attention in Chicago as the number of youth without Jobs has hit historic highs in recent years. As shown in the recent report prepared by the Great Cities Institute, “Lost: The Crisis Of Jobless and Out Of School […]
Democratizing Tax Increment Financing through Participatory Budgeting – A Tool Kit
Authors: Cecile Carroll, Thea Crum, Carolina Gaete, Maria Hadden, Rachel Weber Abstract: This PB – TIF Tool Kit provides valuable information for organizations and residents interested in maximizing the community benefits from TIF through more participatory decision making processes. The Tool Kit includes the following: 1) Basic information on the mechanics of TIF and […]
The Illinois Student Access Bill
Author Rosario Gómez-Alvarez Díaz, Department of Economics and Economic History, University of Seville Abstract This report presents the main effects expected from the Illinois Student Access Bill, which, if approved, would allow undocumented students to be eligible for state-funded scholarships in four year-public universities. Currently, undocumented students are not eligible […]
Public Spending, By the People: Participatory Budgeting in the United States and Canada in 2014-15
Author: Public Agenda Abstract: From 2014 to 2015, more than 70,000 residents across the United States and Canada directly decided how their cities and districts should spend nearly $50 million in public funds through a process known as participatory budgeting (PB). PB is among the fastest growing forms of public […]
Pilsen Existing Conditions Report
This existing conditions data report includes information on Pilsen’s neighborhood demographics, housing, local economy, workforce characteristics, and community institutions.
A Lost Generation: The Disappearance of Teens and Young Adults from the Job Market in Cook County
This was report prepared for the March 22, 2016 Cook County Board of Commissioners Workforce, Housing and Community Development Committee hearing.
Lost: The Crisis of Jobless and Out of School Teens and Young Adults in Chicago, Illinois and the U.S.
This report contains compilations and calculations of various employment data for males and females 16 to 24 years old by race/ethnicity from 2005 to 2014, comparing Chicago, Illinois, the U.S. and in some instances, adding Los Angeles and New York.
The Civics of Community Development: Participatory Budgeting in Chicago
Authors: Rachel Weber, Thea Crum & Eduardo Salinas (2015) Abstract: We investigate the relationship between community organizations and the implementation of a multi-ward participatory budgeting (PB) process in Chicago. Drawing on observations and surveys administered during 2012–2013, we find that participation in PB varied across the four wards, as did […]