Rafael Mendoza
Editorial byline
Rafael Mendoza is an editorial byline for Today In My City, with a focus on Business & Economy, Real Estate & Development, City Hall. Biographical credentials and external profiles are published only after verification.
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Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
Where a Chicago Development Project Can Still Be Stopped: A Resident's Stage-by-Stage Guide
Chicago residents can influence local development projects by understanding the city's multi-stage approval process and engaging at specific, opportune moments. This guide maps the stages, decision-makers, and public input opportunities to help residents maximize their voice.
Oct 22, 2026 · 5 min read
Why Chicago Is Becoming a Biotech Startup Hub: Research, Capital, Talent and Lab Space
Chicago is emerging as a significant biotech startup hub, driven by a robust ecosystem built on deep academic research, accessible venture capital, a large life sciences workforce, and crucial lab infrastructure. This convergence of resources, supported by strong university-industry partnerships and increasing investment, positions the city as a growing contender in the national biotechnology landscape.
Oct 21, 2026 · 4 min read
Illinois SBDCs Offer Chicago Entrepreneurs No-Cost Advising at Every Business Stage
Chicago entrepreneurs can access free, confidential, one-on-one business advising through the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network. These services are tailored to every stage of business, from planning and startup to growth and exit.
Oct 17, 2026 · 4 min read
Chicago Zoning for Small Businesses: Which Districts to Target and How to Verify an Address
Chicago zoning dictates where small businesses can legally operate, requiring owners to identify suitable districts and verify specific addresses with city resources. Understanding Chicago's Business (B), Commercial (C), and Manufacturing (M) districts and confirming zoning before signing a lease is crucial for compliance.
Oct 16, 2026 · 5 min read
How Community Land Trusts Create Lasting Affordable Housing in Chicago
Community Land Trusts (CLTs) create lasting affordable housing in Chicago by separating land ownership from home ownership, ensuring homes remain affordable across generations. The city features two main CLT approaches: a citywide municipal trust and neighborhood-based organizations, each addressing affordability at different scales.
Oct 15, 2026 · 4 min read
What Upzoning Means in Chicago: The Broadway Case and the Fight Over Density
Upzoning in Chicago allows for denser buildings, with the Broadway corridor proposal sparking debate over its potential impacts on housing affordability, property taxes, and neighborhood character. The article explores the arguments from both proponents and opponents, citing evidence and outlining how residents can evaluate such changes.
Oct 14, 2026 · 4 min read
A Practical Guide to Building Child-Friendly Neighborhoods
Rebuilding the "missing village" by creating child-friendly neighborhoods is essential for fostering healthy child development. This involves integrating safety, abundant play opportunities, and supportive community connections into the local environment.
Oct 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Mamdani Administration Fast-Tracks Affordable Housing in 12 NYC Neighborhoods, Streamlining Approvals
New York City's Mamdani Administration is launching an Affordable Housing Fast Track initiative in January 2027, designating 12 neighborhoods to expedite project approvals from seven months to three months by bypassing City Council review. This measure aims to address the city's low rental vacancy rate and uneven distribution of affordable housing.
Oct 1, 2026 · 4 min read
Local Business Incentives for Urban Development and Job Creation
Despite states like Delaware offering $500 for each new job created and Florida providing 5 percent annual capital investment credits for 20 years, firm-specific tax incentives do not strongly increas
Sep 5, 2026 · 6 min read
Glen Burnie Bancorp Appoints John Stamato to Board, Effective 2026
John Stamato, founder and President of Millersville-based Ribera Development, LLC, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Glen Burnie Bancorp, effective 2026.
Sep 1, 2026 · 2 min read
Raleigh Expands Affordable Housing Developments Amid Rising Costs
The City of Raleigh just closed financing agreements for four affordable housing developments, committing over $10.
Aug 26, 2026 · 3 min read
New Programs Offer Small Businesses Diverse Grants
LISC, a national non-profit, recently delivered $270 million in relief grants to approximately 26,000 small businesses.
Aug 12, 2026 · 2 min read
City efforts to boost small businesses face persistent hurdles
Mayor Mamdani's 'OPEN for Small Business' initiative in New York City alone includes over 50 reforms aimed at slashing red tape and boosting support for local enterprises, demonstrating a significant
Jul 31, 2026 · 6 min read
Kamilla Cardoso scores 30, Sky's record-setting night
Kamilla Cardoso scored a career-high 30 points for the Chicago Sky on Friday, making all 13 of her field goal attempts — a new WNBA record for perfect shooting.
Jun 29, 2026 · 3 min read
Chicago braces for extreme heat index near 100 degrees
Chicago faces three consecutive days with a heat index peaking between 100-105 degrees, a level the National Weather Service classifies as an Extreme Heat Warning.
Jun 29, 2026 · 3 min read
TV Show Scouts Iconic Chicago Restaurants for Authentic Setting
At the White Palace Grill, a decades-old hub for working-class Chicagoans, producers for a new TV show are scouting locations.
Jun 28, 2026 · 3 min read
Illinois Law Requires Speed Limit Tech for Restricted Drivers
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed a bill requiring repeat speeders to use technology to prevent exceeding limits for restricted driving privileges, though the program won't launch until after New Year's Day 2028.
Jun 28, 2026 · 2 min read
Court Appoints Receiver for Golub Mag Mile Office Property
A Cook County judge has appointed Scott Shefman as receiver for the 625 North Michigan Avenue office building, jointly owned by Golub & Co.
Jun 28, 2026 · 3 min read
AI's economic impact: Job displacement and UBI solutions
Dario Amodei, CEO of AI powerhouse Anthropic, suggested a universal basic income (UBI) may be needed if AI-driven job displacement permanently reduces labor demand, according to Canadian Affairs .
Jun 28, 2026 · 2 min read
Supreme Court Ends TPS for Haitians and Syrians Nationwide
More than 350,000 immigrants—6,000 Syrians and hundreds of thousands of Haitians—will lose their legal right to live and work in the U.
Jun 27, 2026 · 3 min read