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Public commenters at Cook County committee meeting urge investment in South and West sides and criticize funding choices
Summary
Four registered public commenters told the Cook County Business and Economic Development Committee on Feb. 3, 2026 that Black-owned businesses have declined on the South and West sides, criticized local leaders and funding decisions, and urged greater local investment; the committee did not take direct action on the comments at the meeting.
Four members of the public addressed the Cook County Business and Economic Development Committee during the public-comment period at its Feb. 3, 2026 meeting, urging greater investment in the South and West side neighborhoods and criticizing local economic and funding decisions.
Mike George Blakemore told the committee that Black-owned businesses once thrived on Chicago’s South Side and West Side and argued those businesses have largely disappeared. “These black people are great… They don't know how great they are,” Blakemore…
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