UPDATE: House Bill 6253, which would lift the Illinois moratorium on Medicaid expansion for those who will be eligible under national healthcare reform in 2014, has been filed in the Illinois General Assembly. Watch this space for more information about Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Original blog published on November 20, 2012
The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved the FY2013 Annual Appropriation bill (FY2013 budget) on November 9. The budget was approved with a 16-1 vote. The Cook County FY2013 Executive Budget Recommendation was released on October 18 and the Civic Federation released its analysis of the budget on October 26, 2012. Since then, some of the proposed revenue enhancements underwent changes before being approved by the Board’s Finance Committee on November 2. The affected revenue enhancements…
UPDATE: Cook County has received federal approval for a Medicaid expansion plan that is projected to bring in $99 million in net revenues in FY2013 and is a key component of the County’s FY2013 budget. The approval, announced by the County on October 26, 2012, means that an estimated 250,000 low income Cook County residents will have early access to Medicaid coverage before Medicaid expansion begins under national healthcare reform in 2014. As discussed here and here, the Cook County Health and…
The Civic Federation supports the Cook County FY2013 operating budget of $2.9 billion for its disciplined approach to significant budget challenges. The proposed budget holds the property tax levy nearly flat and marks the fulfillment of Board President Preckwinkle’s pledge to fully roll back the 2008 sales tax increase. Actions taken to close the County’s $267.5 million shortfall in FY2013 include vacancy eliminations, energy savings, savings from implementing managed competition and targeted…
In 2010 the Civic Federation embarked on the Cook County Modernization Project to provide a roadmap for creating a county government that is more efficient, less costly and more accountable. The report addressed all Cook County functions, but particular emphasis was paid to improving operational efficiency in the the Offices under the President, reforming the overall governance structure and proposing reforms for the Health System. The report also contained detailed information and analysis…
Trend analysis performed by the Civic Federation shows that the funded status of the Cook County Pension Fund fell again in fiscal year 2011, the most recent year for which data are available. The actuarial funded ratio for the County pension fund fell to 57.5% in FY2011 from 77.3% in FY2007. The fund was over 90% funded as recently as FY2000. Funded ratio is one of the three main indicators of pension fund fiscal health the Civic Federation uses to evaluate state and local retirement funds.…
Second installment property tax bills for Cook County residents are due this week, the earliest due date since at least 1977, according to the elected officials associated with the Cook County property tax process. Cook County Clerk David Orr’s office released the 2011 Cook County Tax Rates Report on June 26, 2012. The report lists property tax rates for all taxing districts in Cook County and provides sample composite rates for many municipalities. The composite rate is the total tax rate that…
On June 27, 2012, the Office of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle released its annual Preliminary Budget Estimates report for fiscal year 2013. The report summarizes mid-year FY2012 revenues and expenditures, expected current year-end estimates for FY2012 and projected revenues and expenditures for the upcoming FY2013.[1] The preliminary budget estimate is required by Executive Order 2012-1 issued by President Preckwinkle last year. The Executive Order requires that the County issue…
UPDATE: On Thursday, August 2, 2012, Governor Quinn signed legislation to require all counties to release their financial statements within six months of the end of their fiscal year as Public Act 097-0890. The legislation takes effect upon becoming law. On May 11, 2012 the Illinois House of Representatives joined the Illinois Senate in voting to eliminate an exemption for Illinois’ largest and smallest counties from releasing their financial statements in a timely fashion. The Civic Federation…
Last week, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced two alternative service delivery initiatives: 1) managed competition for County custodial services; and 2) third-party administration of the County’s employee absence and leave management.[1] In its 2010 Cook County Modernization Report, the Civic Federation recommended that Cook County institute alternative service delivery, also known as outsourcing, for non-essential services. Historically, the County has not taken advantage…
