Take this brief, 5-question survey to tell us what topics you would like to see discussed during this year's Roundtable Conference.

Still a new idea, Chicago-based CrowdFranchise.com is a more narrow-focused version of other crowd-funding platforms like Kickstarter or EarlyShares. The minimum investment is $1,000, as opposed to Kickstarter, which allows a minimum of $1.

Illinois lawmakers took the first step in examining the state's tax policy and use of corporate tax incentives, which could lead to changes in the state's main economic development program.

Chicago Public Schools said it will tap $21.5M in surplus TIF funds to hire extra teachers for arts and daily physical education classes. Officials say TIF money allocated by the city in November will be used to pay for 84 physical education teachers and 84 art teachers for schools in need.

The CTA will use TIF funding in a $23 million project to renovate the Blue Line's Illinois Medical District CTA station. The project will make all three entrances accessible to riders with disabilities. The tax-increment financing (TIF) funds will help rebuild the main stationhouse on Ogden Avenue, by adding an elevator and new stairs.

Interested in bringing your organization to the forefront of hundreds of economic development finance professionals in the state? Consider sponsoring the CDFA Illinois Financing Roundtable in 2014.

May 7, 2014 - Chicago, Illinois
Join the CDFA Illinois Financing Roundtable for a one-day conference on "Leveraging Assets, Maximizing Resources and Building the Illinois Economy." This event will feature a number of economic development finance experts from around the state discussing new development finance tools, authorities, resources and approaches, and how these can affect the Illinois economy going forward.

>>> SEARCH HEADLINES   

The Center for Neighborhood Technology put out this report on the growing effort among planners, real estate professionals, and economists to identify not only the economic benefits of alternative transportation modes in and of themselves, but also the impact that they have on housing prices and value retention. The real estate mantra of "location, location, location" is more important than ever.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity offers this brochure to help fulfill its mission of raising Illinois' profile as a global business leader. It offers facts on exporting, foreign direct investment, and other relevant agreements.

This methodology from Moody's describes the ratings agency's approach to evaluating the credit of Special Tax Bonds.

>>> SEARCH ONLINE RESOURCE DATABASE   

Annual Roundtable Sponsor