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Alex Nitkin

@alexnitkin.bsky.social

660 followers 300 following 62 posts

Government Finance & Accountability reporter, @IllinoisAnswers/@BetterGov. Formerly of @thedailylinechi, @trdchicago & @DNAinfoChi. Tips: [email protected]

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Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · 13d

The Johnson Administration had fought off ward-based restrictions on ADUs because of a 2023 federal ruling that aldermanic prerogative leads to segregation. Trump’s HUD freed the mayor to wheel & deal with alders.

@danielkayhertz.bsky.social on this:

illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/25/c...

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · 13d

Story here:
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/25/c...

‘Granny Flats’ Poised For Expansion — But Only in Neighborhoods Where Alderpeople Allow Them

New law will allow more coach house construction and conversions but will likely create confusion and increase costs, advocates say.

illinoisanswers.org

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · 13d

Compromise ADU ordinance PASSES City Council in a 46-0 vote, ending a 7-year legislative battle over a modest affordable housing tool already common elsewhere in the country. Story TK

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · 16d

Inbox: City Council's most vocal supporter and most vocal critic of citywide legalization of ADUs ("granny flats") announce they've reached a compromise.

Still waiting on a copy of the new ordinance language to understand what the "limitations and local review" are.

cc @stevevance.net

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · 16d

The upshot here is that, if this ordinance passes, all single-family zones in the city will be a patchwork of different regulatory environments for ADU construction, stopping and starting at ward boundaries.

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · 16d

OK here's the ordinance language:
ADUs only allowed in RS zones if they're in the existing pilot areas. The council can pass ordinances (presumably with backing of the local alder) to expand allowance, with any of the following restrictions attached.

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · 16d

Summary provided here: new draft ordinance empowers individual alders to restrict or allow construction of ADUs in RS (single-family home) zones, with no such restrictions in RT (two-flat, small apartment building) zones.

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · 16d

Inbox: City Council's most vocal supporter and most vocal critic of citywide legalization of ADUs ("granny flats") announce they've reached a compromise.

Still waiting on a copy of the new ordinance language to understand what the "limitations and local review" are.

cc @stevevance.net

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Aug 7

These hearings were required under the ordinance negotiated last year by alders — part of the same deal that required more robust reporting from the City Council Office of Financial Analysis
bsky.app/profile/did:...

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Aug 6

The newly beefed-up City Council Office of Financial Analysis quietly dropped its mid-year budget report last week, including a 1st-ever report on city employee vacancies by department.
chicago.gov/content/dam/...
Should be of interest to anyone advocating cuts over new taxes!

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Aug 7

New: for the first time in memory, the City Council is going to hold an entire round of PRELIMINARY public budget hearings in September, before the mayor releases a proposal.
Check the schedule:

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Aug 6

But if you think cutting vacancies would be a good way to control spending, consider that many of those same departments dished 100s of millions in overtime pay last year!
This is organized labor's argument against layoffs: they'd end up costing the city more through increased overtime.

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Aug 6

Check this chart of "carryover vacancies," ie full-time positions the city keeps on its spending ledger that went unfilled for a full year from 1/1/24-1/1/25.
CPD, the city's largest department by far, leads with nearly 800 chronic vacancies.

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Aug 6

The newly beefed-up City Council Office of Financial Analysis quietly dropped its mid-year budget report last week, including a 1st-ever report on city employee vacancies by department.
chicago.gov/content/dam/...
Should be of interest to anyone advocating cuts over new taxes!

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Jul 29

The infamous Evanston Brothel Law!
dailynorthwestern.com/2021/10/18/c...

Reposted by Alex Nitkin

Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · Jul 22

In 2016, as Chicago mayor, Emanuel banned city employees from making most trips at the city’s expense to North Carolina, which banned trans people from using the bathroom that aligned with their gender.

He also backed an ordinance blocking any Chicago business from imposing similar bans.

Dave Weigel @daveweigel.bsky.social · Jul 22

Rahm Emanuel criticized Dems for talking about "pronouns," but Megyn Kelly is the first interviewer I've seen drill down for his views.

Boys + girls are "fundamentally, physically different." No "men claiming they're women" in women's prisons.

"Can a man become a woman? No."

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Jul 15

I’ll be talking about the ordinance to allow citywide construction of ADUs, which just advanced out of the City Council Zoning Committee in a 13-7 vote

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · Jul 15

Reporter @alexnitkin.bsky.social will be on @wbez.org’s Reset today at 12:20 p.m. to discuss ADUs in Chicago.

Tune in live here: www.wbez.org
And read his story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/g...

WBEZ Chicago - WBEZ Chicago

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Jul 8

Mayor to force a vote next week on legalizing ADUs citywide, Fran Spielman reports.
chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
Letting people build backyard coach houses would represent an "attack by the mayor’s office on the bungalow belt," says Ald. Marty Quinn (13th).

chicago.suntimes.com

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Jun 24

Thanks @wbez.org for having me on Reset yesterday to talk ADUs! Take a listen:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

A Solution To Chicago’s Housing Crisis?

Podcast Episode · Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons · 06/24/2025 · 26m

podcasts.apple.com

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Jun 24

(4/4)
So I hope that as Craig looks back on his extraordinary 42-year career pursuing and exposing truth at WBBM, he remembers the enduring impact he's made on generations of reporters.
And I hope he has a relaxed and fulfilling retirement for the next 42 years. He's earned it.

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Jun 24

(3/4)
I — and untold others who have sat in that room — learned from Craig that journalism should lead with empathy and humanity. He's been THE model for unflappable professionalism, calm amid chaos, taking your work seriously without taking yourself too seriously.

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Jun 24

(2/4)
But that's Craig's superpower. Newsrooms shrink, role models fail, beat reporters get younger, and somehow this man just becomes kinder. More curious. More open-minded and in love with the world.
I truly never understood it. But it made me better!

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Jun 24

🧵(1/4)
I remember walking into the City Hall press room at age 26 on my first day on the beat and being floored by the sheer force of Craig's kindness and sincerity. Like...veteran journalists are not supposed to act like this! Who did this guy think he was??

IL Politihub @ilpolitihub.bsky.social · Jun 21

Chicago journalism icon Craig Dellimore retires after 42 years at WBBM

Chicago journalism icon Craig Dellimore retires after 42 years at WBBM

Chicago radio icon Craig Dellimore is retiring from WBBM Newsradio this week after more than four decades with the station. He recently spoke with Rob Hart for “At Issue” about journalism, radio,...

Reposted by Alex Nitkin

Steven @stevevance.net · Jun 23

WBEZ Reset host right now:

*WHY does there need to be a community meeting for a homeowner to add a unit??*

(they are talking about ADUs, and referred to this statement in @alexnitkin.bsky.social's recent article)

“This will be a blanket approval … it will allow two-flats to become three-flats, three to become four and four to become five,” said then-Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson (11th), who represented the city’s Bridgeport and Chinatown neighborhoods. “If someone wants to change a two-flat to a three-flat, in my ward, we do a community meeting. All of my neighbors — the community comes out and has participation. Not a bureaucrat at City Hall making a decision for my community.”

“This will be a blanket approval … it will allow two-flats to become three-flats, three to become four and four to become five,” said then-Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson (11th), who represented the city’s Bridgeport and Chinatown neighborhoods. “If someone wants to change a two-flat to a three-flat, in my ward, we do a community meeting. All of my neighbors — the community comes out and has participation. Not a bureaucrat at City Hall making a decision for my community.”

via https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/granny-flats-are-illegal-to-build-in-most-of-chicago-and-political-gridlock-is-keeping-it-that-way/

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Jun 3

Requiring a special use permit (ZBA approval) to build an ADU in an RS-1 or RS-2 zone.

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · May 29

Chicago might end up being superseded by state legislators, who are considering a bill that would prohibit cities from banning ADUs. The bill is backed by Illinois Realtors and Gov. JB Pritzker has signaled support.
ilga.gov/legislation/...
(6/6)

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · May 29

Also getting in the way of ADU legalization: Chicago is 2 years into negotiations with @HUDgov over aldermanic prerogative, which fed officials ruled in 2023 effectuates racial segregation.
City attorneys say Lawson's compromise ordinance could weaken the city's position.
(5/6)