State of Illinois

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Recommendations to Reform Public Pension Boards of Trustees in Illinois

This report reviews best practices in the composition of public pension boards of trustees nationwide, and makes recommendations on improvements to pension boards in Illinois.

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Civic Federation 2009 Legislative Priorities

The Civic Federation's legislative priorities for 2009 include public pension reform, the dissolving of the Illinois International Port District, creating a new governing board for the Cook County Forest Preserve District, requiring all…

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2009 Federal Economic Stimulus Package and Proposed Federal Infrastructure Spending in Illinois

This issue brief and position statement reviews President-Elect Obama and Congressional leaders' proposed federal stimulus package. The Civic Federation supports a federal infrastructure plan that aims to create jobs as a countercyclical…

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Civic Federation Supports Treasurer Giannoulias' Proposal to Consolidate the Investment Activities of the Five Illinois Pension Boards

The Civic Federation supports Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias' proposal to merge the investment functions of all five state-funded pension systems into a single fund managed by a new Illinois Public Employees' Retirement System (…

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Chicago Transit Authority FY2009 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the CTA’s FY2009 budget of $1.3 billion as a responsible short-term plan to provide critical mass transit services to the Chicagoland population. The CTA’s proposed fare increases of 25 to 50 cents per ride,…

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State of Illinois Retirement Systems: Funding History and Reform Proposals -- A Civic Federation Issue Brief

This issue brief reviews the status of the five pension funds of the State of Illinois. It discusses the State's historic underfunding of its pension funds, efforts to improve the funding situation (including pension obligation bonds),…

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Facts About the State of Illinois FY2009 Proposed Operating Budget

 This primer on the proposed FY2009 State of Illinois budget provides a brief overview of the highlights of the spending plan.

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A Call for the Dissolution and Restructuring of the Illinois International Port District

This report calls for the dissolution of the Illinois International Port District and the transfer of its operations to the City of Chicago. It finds that the District has shifted its primary focus from port operations to the management of…

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State of Illinois FY2009 Recommended Operating Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation opposes the unaffordable program expansions and long-term borrowing proposed in the FY2009 State budget recommendation, but supports the proposed 3% cut from non-priority agencies and other efforts to streamline and…

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State of Illinois Constitutional Convention Fiscal Issues

This issue brief provides an overview of some state and local fiscal issues that could be considered at a new Illinois Constitutional Convention. The proposals described do not necessarily reflect positions of the Civic Federation, but are…