This article reports on a proposal from local lawmakers that would use surplus TIF funds to close a portion of CPS’ budget deficit. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, commented on the need for a comprehensive plan to…
This article discusses the current $480 million CPS budget shortfall, impacts of the budget gap and proposed short-term solutions. President of the Civic Federation, Laurence Msall, remarked on the necessity of a long-term plan to help…
A new report by Governor Bruce Rauner’s administration projects that the State of Illinois’ backlog of unpaid bills could grow to $25.0 billion in FY2019 from $4.4 billion in FY2015 based on current tax and spending policies. The…
The following are the five most read posts presented by the Civic Federation blog in 2015. These posts examine a number of closely followed local government issues, ranging from City and County taxes to Chicago pension debt. …
This article discusses the state of Illinois ending calendar year 2015—six months into FY2016—without a budget. With the current budget impasse, spending plans have driven up borrowing costs, the state’s credit rating has sunk and…
The following were among the most highly read posts provided by the Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability in 2015. Understandably, they represent the most closely followed Illinois fiscal issue of the year: the ongoing state budget…
FY2016 Budget Season Summary December 3, 2015 marked the end of the budget season for the eight local governments monitored by the Civic Federation. These governments include: the…
This article discusses the Chicago Teachers Union’s recent vote to authorize a strike. If the strike were to happen, it would be the second strike in three years. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall explained that the District’s…
This article covers the Civic Federation’s December 3 analysis of the FY2016 Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Tentative Budget. The Federation…
In an analysis released today, the Civic Federation announced it supports the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s Tentative FY2016 budget of $1.21 billion. The District proposes a reasonable, balanced budget while maintaining ample…
