Alex Nitkin is The Daily Line’s reporter covering Cook County and Chicago land use policy. He came to TDL from The Real Deal Chicago, where he covered Chicago real estate news. He previously worked at DNAinfo, first as a breaking news reporter, and then as a neighborhood reporter covering the city's Northwest Side. Nitkin graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism with a bachelor’s degree.
Bio
Solutions reporter, @IllinoisAnswers/@BetterGov. Formerly of @thedailylinechi, @trdchicago & @DNAinfoChi. Amateur baker. Tips: [email protected]
JUL 06, 2020
Advocates of an ordinance that would strengthen at-home health protections for seniors say the measure is set to pass a key hurdle on Monday. The measure comes one month after an earlier version of their proposal hit a roadblock in the City Council.
Lightfoot, senior advocates strike deal on Covid-19 housing protection ordinance
Advocates of an ordinance that would strengthen at-home health protections for seniors say the me...
JUL 02, 2020
Cook County finance officials don’t expect sales tax revenues to match December 2019 levels until next fall. [Cook County]Cannabis, gambling taxes to boost county amid long-term budget woes
Cook County finance officials don’t expect sales tax revenues to match December 2019 levels unt...
JUN 29, 2020
Entrepreneurs looking to open new cannabis businesses will have to boost their efforts to engage neighbors under new requirements issued Friday by the Zoning Board of Appeals in an attempt to adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dispensary applicants must boost public meetings under new Zoning Board rule
Entrepreneurs looking to open new cannabis businesses will have to boost their efforts to engage ...
JUN 26, 2020
The preliminary budget deficit for 2021 is the highest Cook County has faced since 2011.Cook County is staring down a nearly $410 million budget deficit for 2021, the highest mid-year gap projected by county officials in a decade.
‘Everything is on the table’ as Cook County faces $410M budget gap for 2021: Preckwinkle
The preliminary budget deficit for 2021 is the highest Cook County has faced since 2011.Cook Co...
JUN 22, 2020
Administrators of the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) deviated from nationally recognized best practices in the way they kept their books and chose buyers, an independent auditor reported Friday. The report did not find any evidence that the authority violated laws or county guidelines.
Land Bank audit flags ‘significant deficiencies’ in documentation, transparency
Administrators of the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) deviated from nationally recognized...
JUN 19, 2020
A broad coalition of Cook County commissioners telegraphed their support on Thursday for siphoning money out of the county’s $1.2 billion criminal justice operation when it comes time to make tough decisions on next year’s budget.
During a nearly four-hour meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners Thursday, 14 out of 17 commissioners spoke up in support of a resolution (20-2867) sponsored by Comm. Brandon Johnson (D-1) calling on the county to “redirect money from the failed and racist systems of policing, criminalization, and incarceration” and reinvest the money in areas like health care, economic development and housing assistance.
County leaders endorse step toward winding down jail, court funding as grim budget decisions loom
A broad coalition of Cook County commissioners telegraphed their support on Thursday for siphonin...
JUN 18, 2020
Sterling Bay’s proposal for a 14-story office building at 1200 W. Carroll Ave.Covid-19 and the ensuing economic slowdown have not been enough to stop the steady progression of new development in the Fulton Market district, where a new 14-story office building is set to key a clear regulatory hurdle on Thursday.
Fulton Market office building, Hegewisch shipping hub set for approval Thursday
Sterling Bay’s proposal for a 14-story office building at 1200 W. Carroll Ave.Covid-19 and the ...
JUN 18, 2020
Businesses in unincorporated Cook County will be able to apply for a “temporary beer garden license” under a measure set for consideration Thursday. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]County leaders to ease path for beer gardens, discourage evictions in wake of Covid-19
Businesses in unincorporated Cook County will be able to apply for a “temporary beer garden lic...
JUN 17, 2020
Related Midwest plans two towers at 400 North Lake Shore DriveA $1 billion plan to add two new apartment towers to the Chicago’s downtown skyline took a leap forward on Tuesday, heralding an end to the 80-foot hole that has marked one of the city’s most valued pieces of real estate for more than a decade.
Twin apartment towers, DuSable Park plan approved for coveted downtown lakefront site
Related Midwest plans two towers at 400 North Lake Shore DriveA $1 billion plan to add two new ...
JUN 17, 2020
A procedural committee meeting convened Tuesday to put a stalled ordinance back on track developed into an intense debate over the city’s plan to help struggling renters and the council’s idiosyncratic process for passing legislation.
Aldermen clash over competing housing proposals, ‘silly’ Rules Committee procedures
A procedural committee meeting convened Tuesday to put a stalled ordinance back on track develope...
JUN 16, 2020
A rendering of The Point at Six Corners, a proposed senior-living facility with ground-floor retail at 4747 W. Irving Park Road. [Clark Street Real Estate]The Point, Lake Shore Drive apartment towers set for zoning approval
A rendering of The Point at Six Corners, a proposed senior-living facility with ground-floor re...
JUN 16, 2020
Chicago Department of Housing Comm. Marisa Novara addresses aldermen during a Monday meeting of the City Council Committee on Housing and Real EstateA City Council committee advanced a measure Monday aimed at protecting vulnerable renters from eviction, despite opposition from some aldermen who worried the ordinance would be too harsh on mom-and-pop landlords.
Covid-19 Eviction Protection ordinance passes despite concerns over small landlords
Chicago Department of Housing Comm. Marisa Novara addresses aldermen during a Monday meeting of...
JUN 15, 2020
Chicago housing officials are set to introduce an ordinance Monday they hope will prevent an expected wave of evictions this summer, but housing activists say it doesn’t go far enough in protecting renters.
Activists push to sharpen Covid-19 eviction ordinance as it speeds toward approval
Chicago housing officials are set to introduce an ordinance Monday they hope will prevent an expe...
JUN 12, 2020
Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22) speaks during a press conference outside the Crawford Power Station on April 12City officials award dozens of tax incentives each year to spur new business and development and have rarely proposed undoing the agreements — until April 11, when Hilco Redevelopment Partners demolished a smokestack whose dust blanketed an adjacent neighborhood.
Rodriguez seeking ‘framework’ to revoke Hilco’s $19.7M tax credit
Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22) speaks during a press conference outside the Crawford Power Station...
JUN 12, 2020
Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Comm. Rosa Escareño speaks during a meeting of the City Council transportation committee ThursdayAldermen advanced a measure Thursday aimed at accelerating the pace for restaurants to be allowed to serve diners on city sidewalks so that they can maximize business while meeting city and state health directives meant to slow the spread of Covid-19.
City moves toward faster, cheaper sidewalk permits to throw restaurants a ‘lifeline
Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Comm. Rosa Escareño speaks durin...
JUN 11, 2020
City licensing officials would be able to fast-track applications for restaurants and cafes to serve customers outdoors under a temporary measure set to be considered by aldermen Thursday.
The measure (O2020-2891) set to be taken up by the City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Way at its 2 p.m. meeting Thursday would empower Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Comm. Rosa Escareño to unilaterally approve sidewalk permit applications for businesses that “meet the requirements.” That power typically falls to aldermen, who approve dozens of such permits during each meeting of the transportation committee.
Expedited sidewalk permitting process proposed to boost outdoor restaurant service
City licensing officials would be able to fast-track applications for restaurants and cafes to se...
JUN 10, 2020
City housing officials are preparing to introduce a new ordinance making it harder for landlords to evict tenants who have lost income due to Covid-19. The measure could be approved and written into the city code as early as next week.
Covid-19 ‘eviction protection ordinance’ set for fast-track approval this month
City housing officials are preparing to introduce a new ordinance making it harder for landlords ...
JUN 09, 2020
Brewers and industry advocates called on city leaders to allow bars to serve patrons outdoors. [photo via Brian Galati/Machine Engineered Dining and Drinks]Cocktails-to-go approved, but bars ‘just aren’t ready’ for patio service, Lightfoot says
Brewers and industry advocates called on city leaders to allow bars to serve patrons outdoors. ...
JUN 08, 2020
City leaders are expected Monday to take a step toward legalizing the carry-out sale of prepared alcoholic drinks, bringing Chicago in line with a new state law aimed at giving bars and restaurants a boost as they attempt to bounce back from Covid-19.
Cocktails-to-go in Chicago set for consideration Monday
City leaders are expected Monday to take a step toward legalizing the carry-out sale of prepared ...
JUN 05, 2020
Aldermen hear presentations from advocates of reparations during a virtual meeting ThursdayThe time has come to seriously consider paying reparations to make amends for decades and centuries of injustices against Chicago’s black residents, aldermen agreed during an emotionally charged meeting on Thursday.
‘Wake up’ and get behind reparations for black Chicagoans, aldermen say
Aldermen hear presentations from advocates of reparations during a virtual meeting ThursdayThe ...
Bio
Solutions reporter, @IllinoisAnswers/@BetterGov. Formerly of @thedailylinechi, @trdchicago & @DNAinfoChi. Amateur baker. Tips: [email protected]
