What is Eminent Domain?

The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says: “[N] or shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” The Illinois constitution similarly states: "Private property shall not be taken or damaged for public use without just compensation as provided by law. Such compensation shall be determined by a jury as provided by law." Illinois Const., Art. I, § 15. For many years, "public use" meant property could be taken for things like roads and schools.

But in the 1950s, governments started using eminent domain to clear "slums," and then to increase tax revenue and jobs by seizing private property and transferring it to wealthy developers. In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that private property may be seized for private commercial development. Most states have since passed eminent domain reform to protect property owners, but not Illinois - and the City of Chicago continues to be one of the worst abusers of eminent domain nationwide.

Contact Alderman Schulter at 773-348-8400 or ward47@cityofchicago.org and tell him you oppose the use or threat of eminent domain for private development in the Western Avenue North TIF area.

Send us your comments at speakup@savelincolnsquare.com and we'll post them on the site.

Any questions please call 773-271-2255 and ask for Imre Hidvegi.