In its recently released analysis of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County’s FY2011 proposed budget, the Civic Federation reiterated its position that the District must create a separate board of commissioners.[1] The District is currently governed by double-duty Commissioners who also govern Cook County. This structure presents an inherent conflict of interest because of the competing interests of the two governments. Fitch Ratings has supported the creation of a separate board, saying…
The Civic Federation often recommends that local governments undertake long-term financial forecasting and planning, which the Federation believes is one of the single most important financial practices for local governments to undertake. Other groups such as the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and the National Association Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting also consider long-term financial planning to be a pillar of proper financial management. A recent GFOA white…
As part of the Cook County Modernization Report, the Civic Federation examined the County’s revenue and tax structure. Cook County is the only county in Illinois to have home rule status, which gives it considerable taxing flexibility. One of the report’s key revenue findings is that there has been a significant change in Cook County’s tax revenue structure. Nationwide, property taxes are the largest source of own-source revenues for counties.[1] Historically, the property tax has been…
In 2010 the Civic Federation blog provided comprehensive information about government and fiscal issues across Illinois for the public, government officials and media. In a range of posts on topics from the effect Public Act 96-0889 would have on local government pension systems to explaining nuances of the Cook County property tax system, the Federation blog offered rapid-response commentary on current events and original research that accompanied the Federation’s publications. Issues…
State and local governments utilize fund accounting in order to demonstrate accountability and compliance with rules, laws and regulations.[1] For example, Cook County has a multitude of funds including a Public Safety Fund, Health Fund, an Annuity and Benefit Fund, a Bond and Interest Fund and a variety of special funds. These funds help demonstrate how much the County is spending on an activity and how it is utlizing restricted revenues. The paradox of fund accounting is while it is intended…
This report articulates the Civic Federation’s overall position on the Cook County property tax system. The report expresses the Federation’s vision for a better property tax system and serves as a framework against which proposals to change the Cook County property tax system may be evaluated. The report identifies positive and negative features of the current system as well as unintended consequences. It should be read in conjunction with four descriptive primers recently published by the…
The Cook County property tax system is very complex and difficult to understand. To help educate the public about the tax process and hold elected officials accountable, the Civic Federation has prepared a series of primers about the various processes and associated governmental bodies that manage the Cook County property tax system. Also located on this page is a link to all Civic Federation research about property taxes, including blog posts and budget analyses. Appeals Cook County Property…
A new report on Cook County Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts was released today by Cook County Clerk David Orr. For tax year 2009 (taxes paid in 2010), revenue for Chicago TIFs totals $519.7 million. Is that $519.7 million paid by people who own property in TIF districs? Technically yes, because if those taxpayers are late or delinquent in their payments, the TIF districts do not receive their revenues on time. But, in a very real sense, all Chicago property taxpayers and even owners of…
This report describes basic principles of taxation and evaluates how these principles are manifested in the Cook County property tax system. The purpose of the report is descriptive, not prescriptive. It examines the operation of basic tax principles in the Cook County property tax system but does not recommend changes to that system. Click here to read the press release.
The Civic Federation's legislative priorities for 2011 include public pension reform, requiring state government to develop and implement a capital improvement plan, the dissolving of the Illinois International Port District, creating a new governing board for the Cook County Forest Preserve District, reinstating means-tested transit discounts for seniors, requiring large counties to hold budget hearings and produce timely annual audits, enacting tax increment financing reporting reform,…
