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]
APR 01, 2020
Board of Review Commissioner Michael Cabonargi [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]
A near-total shutdown of in-person government services has not stopped the Cook County Board of Review from churning through tens of thousands of appeals to determine how much in property taxes owners should pay.
Board of Review picked up its pace after staffers started working from home, Cabonargi says
Board of Review Commissioner Michael Cabonargi [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]
A near-total shutdown...
MAR 31, 2020
A fresh batch of mail-in ballots on Monday propelled Ald. George Cardenas (12) to a 21-vote lead over his arch-rival State Sen. State Sen. Tony Muñoz (D-Chicago) in the race to be the Democratic committeeperson for Chicago’s 12th Ward, erasing the advantage Muñoz has held since Election Day nearly two weeks ago.
Cardenas pulls ahead of Muñoz in race for 12th Ward committeeperson
A fresh batch of mail-in ballots on Monday propelled Ald. George Cardenas (12) to a 21-vote lead ...
MAR 31, 2020
City housing officials on Monday announced the approval of $13.2 million in tax credits for the construction of up to 1,083 units of affordable housing across Chicago, signaling that the coronavirus crisis has not stopped the city’s long-term fight to expand low-cost housing options.
11 affordable housing proposals win tax credits
City housing officials on Monday announced the approval of $13.2 million in tax credits for the c...
MAR 31, 2020
A plan to build the city’s second-tallest tower could be approved during Chicago’s first public meeting in the coronavirus era.
Super tall Tribune Tower East set for approval at ‘virtual’ April Plan Commission meeting
A plan to build the city’s second-tallest tower could be approved during Chicago’s first public m...
MAR 27, 2020
Businesses across Cook County will be able to delay paying a combined $35 million in taxes under a “financial relief package” Board President Toni Preckwinkle rolled out on Thursday in an attempt to blunt the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
Cook County delays tax collection, suspends fines in ‘relief package’ for businesses
Businesses across Cook County will be able to delay paying a combined $35 million in taxes under ...
MAR 26, 2020
Metra trains sport messages urging Cook County residents to complete the Census. [Twitter/@Metra]
The coronavirus pandemic instantly scrambled the city, county and state’s coordinated multimillion-dollar campaign to pump up responses to the U.S. Census. But if early results are any indication, those efforts may already be paying off.
Census count rolls on as stay-at-home order pushes outreach groups to change course
Metra trains sport messages urging Cook County residents to complete the Census. [Twitter/@Metra...
MAR 25, 2020
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas obtained a court order to delay the county’s annual tax sale for delinquent properties until further notice, she announced on Tuesday.
Pappas delays annual delinquent property tax sale amid pandemic
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas obtained a court order to delay the county’s annual tax sale f...
MAR 25, 2020
Tammy Wendt campaigns in a picture posted to her Facebook page on March 7. [Facebook]
The Palos Heights attorney and first-time candidate faced Abdelnasser Rashid, a rising star in the Cook County Democratic Party, who boasted the near-unanimous backing of high-ranking elected officials, regional unions and newspaper editorial boards.
But she won anyway.
Fresh off defeating the Democratic ‘machine,’ Wendt seeks ticket to Board of Review in November
Tammy Wendt campaigns in a picture posted to her Facebook page on March 7. [Facebook]
On paper,...
MAR 24, 2020
Cook County judges will speed up bond hearings in an effort to reduce the number of detainees clustered inside the county’s jail — but that may not be enough to stop the spread of coronavirus now that people inside are already sick, lawyers and activists said.
Judge orders faster bond hearings to reduce county jail population as detainees test positive for coronavirus
Cook County judges will speed up bond hearings in an effort to reduce the number of detainees clu...
MAR 23, 2020
Approximately 300 Chicago business owners applied for emergency loans in the hours after Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a new program designed to keep small businesses afloat while the city is under a statewide stay-at-home order, officials said.
City officials say they are pushing to get loans to hard-hit small businesses quickly
Approximately 300 Chicago business owners applied for emergency loans in the hours after Mayor Lo...
MAR 23, 2020
Local government reform fixture Michael Shakman answers questions from reporters. [A.D. Quig/The Daily Line]Judge to decide fate of Yarbrough’s office after arguments close in Shakman case
Local government reform fixture Michael Shakman answers questions from reporters. [A.D. Quig/Th...
MAR 20, 2020
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi told property owners on Thursday not to worry about their assessments for the next tax year — for now, at least.
Kaegi suspends assessment mailers, appeal deadlines amid Coronavirus crisis
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi told property owners on Thursday not to worry about their assess...
MAR 19, 2020
From U.S. Congress to the Illinois House and the Cook County court system, women dominated the Democratic Primary on Tuesday.
Women ran the table on Election Day: ‘This is not a man’s world anymore’
From U.S. Congress to the Illinois House and the Cook County court system, women dominated the De...
MAR 18, 2020
State Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago) was snubbed by party leaders, lagged in fundraising and was mostly ignored during debates. And she’s likely going to be the next Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cook County.
But Tuesday night, Martinez appeared to win a decisive victory on Tuesday in the four-way race to succeed circuit court clerk Dorothy Brown, according to unofficial early returns.
Martinez won approximately 34 percent of the vote with approximately 98 percent of precincts reporting.
But Tuesday night, Martinez appeared to win a decisive victory on Tuesday in the four-way race to succeed circuit court clerk Dorothy Brown, according to unofficial early returns.
Martinez won approximately 34 percent of the vote with approximately 98 percent of precincts reporting.
Martinez leading Democratic race for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk despite snub from party leaders
State Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago) was snubbed by party leaders, lagged in fundraising and was ...
MAR 17, 2020
Federal recommendations to limit large gatherings did not stop aldermen on Monday from approving three cannabis-related proposals and dozens of other zoning changes during a three-hour meeting at City Hall.
Cannabis dispensaries, grow site approved but will have to wait for zoning board to act
Federal recommendations to limit large gatherings did not stop aldermen on Monday from approving ...
MAR 16, 2020
Aldermen are set on Monday to approve a South Side cannabis cultivation site and to give a Southwest Side dispensary the green light to expand, further boosting Chicago’s nascent weed industry.
South Side grow site, dispensary expansion set for zoning approval as weed industry ramps up
Aldermen are set on Monday to approve a South Side cannabis cultivation site and to give a Southw...
MAR 13, 2020
The former South Shore High School, 7627 S. Constance Ave. [MAXWELL EVANS/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO]Aldermen set to approve controversial plan to use closed school for police training
The former South Shore High School, 7627 S. Constance Ave. [MAXWELL EVANS/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO]Th...
MAR 13, 2020
The candidates for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk debate. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]Court Clerk candidates vow to roll back fines and fees, but promises may run up against the law
The candidates for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk debate. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]Former C...
MAR 13, 2020
Ald. George Cardenas (12) blasted People's Gas for hiking residents' bills. [Heather Cherone/The Daily Line]
Aldermen blast Peoples Gas for runaway pipe replacement costs: ‘This is total incompetence’
Ald. George Cardenas (12) blasted People's Gas for hiking residents' bills. [Heather Cherone/Th...
MAR 12, 2020
The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners has logged 90,020 applications for mail-in ballots, Chair Marisel Hernandez told reporters. [Alex Nitkin/The Daily Line]
Election officials urge early voting, swat down extension of vote-by-mail as coronavirus fears grow
The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners has logged 90,020 applications for mail-in ballots,...
Bio
Solutions reporter, @IllinoisAnswers/@BetterGov. Formerly of @thedailylinechi, @trdchicago & @DNAinfoChi. Amateur baker. Tips: [email protected]
