This primer on the proposed FY2009 State of Illinois budget provides a brief overview of the highlights of the spending plan.
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 a golf course. Even though the golf course brings in over half the District's annual revenue, the Civic Federation found no evidence that those revenues have been reinvested to improve port facilities or promote commerce.
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 modernize state government. The Federation again strongly urges the General Assembly to implement pension benefit reforms.
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 intended for discussion purposes as stakeholders consider the implications of holding a new Constitutional Convention.
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 management accountability reforms, property tax assessment appeal reforms, timely county audits, and retiree health care trust fund authorization.
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 tax, liquor tax, restaurant tax, soft drink tax, wheel tax, and parking tax.
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 Illinois charter schools and their host districts, as well asa legislative history of charter school law in Illinois and a review of national research on charter schools. . It finds that Illinois charter schools do not constitute an undue financial burden for…
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 enhancements to fund education and mass transit. The Federation also urges the General Assembly to implement pension benefit reforms.
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 the program's rising costs.
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 accountability from school districts.
