The Effects of Income Level on Library Branch Location, Usage Rates, and Technology Resources in Chicago
By Gillian Ostrowski
This paper explores the relationship between income and location of Chicago Public Libraries. It looks at branch usage (number of visitors) and circulation figures (number of books checked out or renewed) with respect to income. The analysis uses data from the Chicago Data Portal, including per capita income of communities, library locations, 2018 visitor reports, and 2018 circulation figures. Results indicate that library location is relatively indifferent to income. However, the amount of usage varies drastically when accounting for income around the branch. Branches in low-income neighborhoods receive far less visits, circulation activity, and access to CyberNavigator.
Crime in Chicago
By Michael Lansana
This paper examines the link between crime in the city of Chicago and the racial background of its diaspora. The purpose of this paper is to help shed light on and draw a link between crime and the socioeconomic conditions of the people committing them. From the gathered data, this paper shows that criminal activity mostly occurs in neighborhoods with a higher degree of economic hardships. These neighborhoods are comprised mostly of African-American and Hispano-American households. This paper does not paint the entire picture of the situation; a further reaching statewide analysis would do a much better job at digging deeper and finding the potential factors involved.
Picking Apart Parks
By Michael Mulligan
This paper attempts to explore the relationship between parks and housing prices in neighborhoods. It does this by examining crime, park services, and park sizes in relation to housing prices in those areas. The goal was to determine if and why parks change prices of housing. Although the data set used was limited, there were some interesting correlations that appeared. Those correlations were dissected in an attempt to find potential avenues through which to dive deeper into the topic discussed.
Implications of Stop and Frisk: Do neighborhood and employment matter when counting discrimination?
By Thomas Rietz
I examine the how race affects the frequency that force is used in police stops. Additionally, I seek to understand how employment affects the likelihood an individual is stopped. A regression is estimated using data from the New York Police Department from 2016. Data is individual-level and contains demographic and stop-level data. Results indicate a correlation between race and the usage of force, but did not yield a significant result.
Chicago Charter Schools
By Freddy Macedo
This paper explores the charter schools in Chicago. It gives historical background of charter schools, the demographic composition of Chicago and attempts to figure out who charter schools are targeting when they open up new schools.
Abandonment In Chicago Low-Income Housing
By Katie Esslinger
It may be anticipated that housing abandonment closely aligns with income in any area. The following study of three of Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods brings new understanding. Although most high abandonment rates do occur in low income areas, not all impoverished areas have high abandonment rates. Three of the most impoverished areas in Chicago show very different rates of housing abandonment. This study found poverty is a large but not sole contributing factor to abandonment, and even the lowest income neighborhoods can equal high income neighborhoods in abandonment depending on other possible variables such as racial distribution or housing ages.
Must the Show Go On? The Economic Impact of Chicago Storefront Theatre Companies
By Delaney Spangler
I aim to measure the size and quality theatre artists may have on a community by analyzing the state of the neighborhood before and after the establishment of the theatre company. The research mainly focuses on change in neighborhood demographics, change in number of foreclosures, and change in the amount of local crime. The research features three prominent Chicago storefront theaters that opened sometime between 2000 and 2010. While it is unclear whether a neighborhood’s improvement is directly related to the establishment of a local theatre company, it can be concluded that it does not negatively impact a community.
Running ahead: The Gentrification Of Pilsen?
By Valeria Tarka
Pilsen is a neighborhood in Chicago with historical roots as a working class blue collar neighborhood. It is important to the future of this neighborhood to determine if gentrification is taking place as it may change the character of the neighborhood. To determine if Pilsen is gentrifying, I examine housing and income data. I determine that gentrification is occurring in pockets of Pilsen. The unequal gentrification present in Pilsen is due to the irregular changes in rent costs and income distribution between ethnic groups across the neighborhood.
Growth of the Bike Sharing Industry is in High Gear
By Kathleen Bommer, Peter Dinu, and Karl Perschke
The bike share industry is growing in many major US cities and disrupting ride share services and public transit. There is a race underway to capture “The Final Mile” of travel where current public transit or automotive transport cannot reach. In this emerging market, it appears that the bike share industry will continue to grow and is ripe for an industry leader. This paper examines one of the earliest movers to capture the bike share growth in the US.