Alderman Bill Conway's eyes widened in shock as he stumbled upon Mayor Brandon Johnson's plan to build a new $50 million Greyhound station. The discovery was made while Conway was reviewing TIF reports distributed to City Council members outlining projects in their wards.
According to Conway, the line item read "Greyhound station" and allocated $35 million for the project next year, with an additional $15 million set aside for 2027. However, unlike other projects funded by the tax increment financing district, the location of the new city-owned station remains unknown.
Conway expressed concerns about the transparency surrounding the project, stating that he had not been consulted and wondered if there were other secret plans in the works that would burden taxpayers further. "It's shocking," Conway said. "If I find this by looking on my own, what else is the mayor's office hiding that will cost taxpayers more?"
The discovery has reignited discussions about the city's budget and transportation priorities. Johnson had initially planned to divert $71.9 million from the Canal-Congress TIF to support various projects, including the rescue of Chicago Public Schools and funding for a new stadium in the South Loop.
Conway pointed out that the funds allocated for the Greyhound station could be better spent on addressing infrastructure needs and improving transportation efficiency, citing concerns about rising costs and inefficiencies identified in an Ernst & Young report. "I am not opposed to the Greyhound station," Conway said, "but it's worth a conversation about whether we should be giving a private equity subsidiary taxpayer cash at this moment."
The mayor's office has yet to comment on the project, but Planning and Development Commissioner Ciere Boatright offered to bring together responsible parties to explain the project's status.
According to Conway, the line item read "Greyhound station" and allocated $35 million for the project next year, with an additional $15 million set aside for 2027. However, unlike other projects funded by the tax increment financing district, the location of the new city-owned station remains unknown.
Conway expressed concerns about the transparency surrounding the project, stating that he had not been consulted and wondered if there were other secret plans in the works that would burden taxpayers further. "It's shocking," Conway said. "If I find this by looking on my own, what else is the mayor's office hiding that will cost taxpayers more?"
The discovery has reignited discussions about the city's budget and transportation priorities. Johnson had initially planned to divert $71.9 million from the Canal-Congress TIF to support various projects, including the rescue of Chicago Public Schools and funding for a new stadium in the South Loop.
Conway pointed out that the funds allocated for the Greyhound station could be better spent on addressing infrastructure needs and improving transportation efficiency, citing concerns about rising costs and inefficiencies identified in an Ernst & Young report. "I am not opposed to the Greyhound station," Conway said, "but it's worth a conversation about whether we should be giving a private equity subsidiary taxpayer cash at this moment."
The mayor's office has yet to comment on the project, but Planning and Development Commissioner Ciere Boatright offered to bring together responsible parties to explain the project's status.
. Conway is totally right to question the lack of transparency here - it's not like we're dealing with a secret plot from the mayor's office (yet 
). The fact that there are no plans for the location and that $15 million more is set aside in 2027 just seems sketchy 
. I mean, have they even considered the environmental impact or how this'll affect public transportation? We need to be talking about these concerns, not just throwing around taxpayer cash like it's going out of style 
Like what's next? A new Walmart in every corner of the city? I'm not saying it can't be useful, but transparency is key here. Why wasn't Alderman Conway told about this plan? And what's with the secretive TIF reports? It sounds like a mess to me. We need to talk about priorities - shouldn't we be focusing on our actual infrastructure needs instead of throwing money at private interests? This just doesn't add up... 
The fact that they allocated $35 million for a Greyhound station without consulting Alderman Conway is a red flag, you know? 
And $15 million more in 2027? That's just on top of the taxpayers' shoulders already! 
I'm not saying it can't be a good project for Greyhound, but let's at least have an open conversation about it, you know? 
. And what about transparency? Alderman Conway had to dig through TIF reports to find out about the project - that's not how you build trust with taxpayers 
.
. Maybe it's time to revisit the TIF district and ensure that public funds are being used for the greater good, not just lining the pockets of special interests 
.
. We gotta stay vigilant and make sure this station gets built with taxpayers in mind 
.
. And, let's be real, who doesn't love having more options when it comes to public transportation? 
. I mean, if it's gonna cost taxpayers $15 million extra by 2027, why not make it public and let the council discuss it? This whole thing reeks of a private equity deal goin' down, but we ain't gettin' no straight answers from the mayor's office 
.
... Like, why was it hidden in TIF reports? 
. The Greyhound station is a huge undertaking that requires transparency and public input 
. I mean, what's next? A private equity subsidiary getting a free pass from taxpayers? That's just not cool 
I'm no expert, but didn't they have some study done by Ernst & Young about how to improve our transport system and save money in the process? 
what if theres another secret project in the works that we dont no about? 
isnt that just a lil too suspicious for comfort? 
It's like the mayor's office is trying to pull a fast one on us. I swear, back in the 80s, we would have had a public hearing about this by now 
Maybe invest in some new buses that don't break down all the time or fix up those potholes on 55th Street 
. Just something to think about... 
I mean, who needs that kind of cash? We should be investing in public transportation and infrastructure, not just supporting some private company 
, which is why I'm a bit surprised the mayor's office isn't being more open about this project... but then again, maybe they have a good reason? 