Chicago's Agenda for Change: Progress and Challenges After a Year

The city of Chicago has struggled to implement meaningful reforms in various areas since 2006, when a critical assessment of the city's Agenda for Change was proposed. This article reviews the progress made in transportation, environment, health care, small business climate, and education, highlighting the successes and shortcomings in each sector.

Key Takeaways:

• The $1.5-billion Create rail modernization program, which aims to relieve railroad congestion in Chicago, remains 80% underfunded despite railroad companies pledging $230 million. No local political leader has taken a strong lead to secure additional funding.
• The city has built two more rain gardens and proposed an ordinance requiring large buildings to implement storm water management plans, but an estimated 16 billion gallons of sewage and storm water were dumped into Chicago waterways in fiscal 2006.
• The introduction of biogenerics, which could reduce health care costs, is pending legislation, with U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman reintroducing a bill in January to allow the FDA to approve lower-cost biopharmaceuticals.
• The Illinois Investment Network, an online meeting place for angels and entrepreneurs in Illinois, has been launched, but it is not a centralized, non-profit organization as initially suggested.
• The process of opening new private schools in Chicago remains challenging due to zoning laws and high lawyer fees, despite some existing schools expanding.

Statistics:

• The Create rail modernization program requires $1.5 billion in funding.
• Railroad companies have pledged $230 million to the project.
• The program is currently 80% underfunded.
• 16 billion gallons of sewage and storm water were dumped into Chicago waterways in fiscal 2006.
• 1,200 rain barrels were sold by the city in 2006.
• The city has built two more rain gardens.

Sources:

• Branch, A. (2006, September 23). The Chicago Resurgent. The New York Times.
• "Chicago Agenda for Change." Christina Galoozis.
• Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago.
• Illinois Investment Network.
• U.S. Government.
• Rep. Henry Waxman.