Economic development subsidies in Illinois reveal a pattern of racial inequity, with wealthier suburbs receiving the majority of funding while areas with high populations of Black workers are left underserved. An examination of 15 years of incentive deals indicates a systematic geographic redlining where Chicago's South and West areas, despite their significant population and business presence, received only a fraction of state subsidies. Five racist practices have emerged: redlining, harm to public education, deregulation of anti-poverty programs, prioritization of large corporations, and the facilitation of megadeals that enrich elites at the expense of smaller businesses and affected communities. Community organizations are called to engage in advocacy for reform.
State economic development practices often engage in geographic redlining, favoring wealthier suburbs over urban areas with higher populations of Black workers, leading to systemic inequity in subsidies.
The outflow of subsidies to predominantly White areas while neglecting majority-Black neighborhoods represents a significant racial disparity in economic development initiatives across various regions.
Large corporations are often prioritized over small businesses in economic development practices, which benefits elites and does not address the needs of struggling communities.
Community groups are encouraged to respond effectively to the harmful impacts of state subsidy practices through advocacy and policy reform to promote equitable economic development.
#economic-development #racial-inequality #subsidy-practices #geographic-redlining #community-advocacy
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