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Hanauer: City numbers don’t support calls of “west side bias”

Photo: Shutterstock


Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A Springfield aldermen brought out a spreadsheet (see below) this week to fight allegations City Hall’s thumb is on the scale for the west side, as opposed to the east side, for various grant monies.

The morning after the latest episode of “East Side, West Side,” – that is, Tuesday’s council meeting – Ald. Ralph Hanauer explained his numbers, obtained from the city’s Office of Planning and Economic Development, on the WTAX Morning Newswatch.

“Wards 2. 3. and 5 get 95 percent of the money. That equates to millions of dollars,” said Hanauer. “Wards 2 and 3 get 53 percent of all (tax increment finance) money, and there’s $23 million that have been given out over the last five years.”

Hanauer said he sought the information after continued complaints about the east side getting the short end of the stick all the time.

A chart of how Ald. Ralph Hanauer claims Tax Increment Financing District isn't evenly distributed.

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