The Civic Federation supported the Chicago Park District's FY2005 Budget because the District levied well below the maximum allowable property tax increase, and because it continued to reduce full-time personnel. The Federation is concerned that the CPD may commingle Special Recreation funds with General Funds, and recommends dramatic improvements to the budget documents.
The Civic Federation supported the City's holding the property tax levy constant for the second year in a row and cutting positions, but was concerned that further measures to control personnel expenditures should be taken and was disappointed that the City did not dedicate more Skyway sale revenues for long-term obligations.
The Civic Federation supported increased public funding for the CTA, Metra, and Pace, but opposed the massive service cuts proposed in the CTA's "Gridlock" Budget scenario. The Federation called for fare increases and other measures in lieu of service cuts, and recommended that a chair be appointed to the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board as soon as possible.
The Civic Federation opposed the City Colleges proposed FY2005 budget because it significantly increased both spending and revenues with little effort to control costs. The budget increased spending by 9% over FY2004, raised tuition by $10 per credit hour, and raised property tax to the maximum amount allowable.
The Civic Federation was pleased with some elements of the $5.05 billion CPS budget, but also identified several areas of concern and opposed the $50 million maximum allowable increase in the property tax levy.
The Civic Federation supported the rejection of any broad-based tax increases but opposed the proposal to reduce pension funding by $310 million and extend payment of that amount over a 41-year period.
The Civic Federation supported the Governor's rejection of any broad-based tax increases but opposed the proposal to reduce pension funding by $527 million to balance the budget. It urged the General Assembly to hold public hearings to assess the impact of significant proposed changes to the State's corporate tax structure.
The Civic Federation commended the MWRD for its FY2004 budget of $848.3 million because the District reduced its property tax levy by $2.7 million from the tentative FY2004 budget proposal, it drew down its Corporate Fund balance from a high of $77.7 million in FY2001 to an estimated $41 million in FY2004 and personnel has been reduced by over 240 positions, or 10.2%, in the last ten years.
The Civic Federation opposed the County’s $2.99 billion FY2004 budget because it does not reduce operational expenditures or implement increased efficiencies and It is balanced by means of two new and unnecessary revenue enhancements: an increase in the County’s home rule sales tax from 0.75% to 1.0% and a new 4% personal property lease transaction tax that will generate $58 million in FY2004.
The Civic Federation was disappointed in the Forest Preserve District’s FY2004 operating budget of $140.8 million for several reasons. There was insufficient time--only 4 working days--permitted this year for public review of the budget. The budget fails to significantly build upon the cost cutting measures enacted last year and implement additional management reforms that will improve the quality of service delivery in the long-term.
