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Related; In mid 19th century, Entire neighborhoods of Chicago were lifted up on jackscrews to raise the street above the swamp: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raising_of_Chicago

We were able to lift entire neighbourhoods in the 19th century but now we can't even build houses...

We can still build them now. It's a question of whether we're allowed.

I think that’s exactly what OP meant

Coastal commission's head would explode if we tried to lift a neighborhood.

Yep! I love my city for a lot of reasons but stuff like this are some of my favorite bits of Chicagoland trivia.