The Civic Federation's legislative priorities for 2008 include public pension reform, tax increment financing disclosure, creation of a separate board of commissioners for the Cook County Forest Preserve District, school financial…
This brief provides an updated compilation of selected consumer taxes, including rates and descriptions, that will be in effect in the City of Chicago on July 1, 2008. It includes such taxes as the sales tax, gas tax, amusement tax, lease…
This report explains the laws and funding mechanisms applicable to charter schools in Illinois and investigates how Illinois charter schools affect the finances of their host school districts. It includes three in-depth case studies of…
The Civic Federation opposes the massive expansion of health care and long-term borrowing proposed in the FY2008 State budget recommendation, but offers qualified support for sale/lease of the State lottery and for reasonable revenue…
This report reviews the features and costs of the current State of Illinois employee group health insurance program, examines the fiscal impact of the program on the State operating budget, and makes policy recommendations for containing…
This report compares Illinois school districts' financial management and accountability standards with nationwide best practices, and makes policy recommendations regarding steps Illinois should take to ensure greater financial…
This issue brief describes dedicated revenue sources for state pension funds and recent proposals for dedicated revenue sources in Illinois. It then discusses important features of an effective dedicated pension revenue source.
This issue brief reviews the five retirement systems of the State of Illinois and discusses their current condition, the history of funding shortfalls and benefit enhancements, various attempts to improve the financial health of the…
This report is a summary of Governor Blagojevich's proposed $9.95 billion FY2007 State of Illinois Capital Budget.
The Civic Federation supports the extension of the "7%" property tax cap for an additional three years, but does not support raising the EAV exemption maximum from $20,000 to $60,000.
