Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has announced a new $26 million loan pool led by Community Investment Corp. and backed by lenders including First Eagle Bank. The fund seeks to increase the supply of affordable units in Chicago communities by enticing local investors to buy abandoned rental buildings. Community Investment Corp. will vet developers with proven track records to take on projects in which renovation costs far outweigh property value. When the rehab is complete the investor will receive a 10-year loan. 11 area banks, including First Eagle, back the loans. "It's hard to get conventional money into the neighborhoods... We've done some (loans), we'd like to do more," said Andy Salk, president and CEO of First Eagle Bank.