Kenilworth

For 17 years, I have lived in Kenilworth, a small, wealthy, primarily white square mile town north of Chicago. The tiny town is known for being highly exclusive and afraid of outsiders, it wasn't until a few years ago that I realized just how true that was. The town is very diverse and has been since its creation in the late 1800’s and the small middle school, Joseph Sears school reflects its demographic. All the kids from kenilworth go to the small public school in the center of town where the kids grow up knowing nothing except what is directly in front of them. I, like most other kids at that school, was oblivious to the changing world because Kenilwoth was not changing with it.

Kenilworth recently started discussing a small tif, which is like a tax, that would incentivise small new businesses to open restaurants and other services on a popular road that goes right through Kenilworth. The tif would in the end help taxpayers as the new businesses start paying taxes. Currently most of the retail properties in Kenilworth remain unoccupied and has become an eyesore for residents.  The tif would be highly beneficial and I was excited to hear about it because currently there is no good food in Kenilworth and this would bring an opportunity for more good food. Unfortunately it doesn't look like it will pass because, although many yong new families are in support of the tif, the town is still majority old couples who don’t want the traffic or any new changes in the small town. Not only do the elderly have a large percentage of the vote but they also have the largest voice because they, unlike the younger working citizens, can spend their entire day arguing at town meeting and putting up signs around town. This leads to very one sided debates and silences the few supporters who are willing to voice their opinions but are overwhelmed by the loud voices of the elderly. I can only hope that they pass the tif and the town will start to change with the rapidly changing world.