Surplus Distributions are amounts that are returned from TIF funds to the City of Chicago and other entities that would have originally received the funds from property taxes.
These distributions come from annual Declared Surpluses, reflecting amounts collected and not designated for specific TIF fund use, and from Remainders at Expiration—any unspent money in a TIF fund when the fund expires at the end of its legally set lifespan (typically 23 years in Illinois).
Follow the instructions below to view data on surplus distributions and total expenditures for 2024.
1. Select the Surplus Distribution for 2024
Under the Surplus Distributions category, mouse over the column for 2024.
Clicking on the Declared Surplus data prompts a caption with “In 2024, the Declared Surplus for all selected TIF Districts was -$420,147,824. This amount was 65 percent of the total Surplus Distribution of -$647,396,543 in 2024.” (Negative values are used here to indicate money flowing out of TIF funds.)
Clicking on the Remainder at Expiration data prompts a caption with “In 2024, the Remainder at Expiration for all selected TIF Districts was -$227,248,719. This amount was 35 percent of the total Surplus Distribution of -$647,396,543 in 2024.”
2. Select the Total Expenditure for 2024
Under the Expenditures category, click the column 2024.
With the Total Expenditure for 2024 selected, a caption displays with “In 2024, the Total Expenditure for all selected TIF Districts was -$517,092,586.”
Summary
The 2024 Surplus Distribution was -$647,396,543, while the 2024 Total Expenditure was -$517,092,586. This shows that in 2024, the Surplus Distribution exceeded the total amount spent.
2024 Property Tax Increment Revenues
With the Property Tax Increment for 2024 selected, a caption displays with “In 2024, the Property Tax Increment for all selected TIF Districts was $1,250,543,135. This amount was 96 percent of the total Revenue of $1,305,362,400 in 2024.”
The 2024 Surplus Distribution was -$647,396,543, which accounts for more than half of the 2024 Property Tax Increment of $1,250,543,135.
2025 Declared Surplus
The 2025 Declared Surplus was larger than 2024 at -$485,268,814, higher than the 2024 Declared Surplus of $420,147,824. The Remainder at Expiration for 2025 is yet to be reported.
Learn more about the City of Chicago’s TIF districts data by visiting the Chicago TIF Districts: Cash Flows dashboard.
Visit Chicago TIF Districts: Cash Flows dashboard
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