Click here to read the full report. The Civic Federation supports the Forest Preserve District of Cook County’s proposed FY2017 budget of $192.4 million because it includes measures to reduce costs and generate additional revenue in order to offset rising personnel costs and a reduction in the Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT). The District’s FY2017 budget proposes management efficiencies and evidence-based fee changes for the use of Forest Preserve amenities to balance out increased…
The Civic Federation supports the Chicago Transit Authority’s proposed FY2017 operating budget of $1.52 billion because the budget holds base fares flat and continues to make strategic capital investments despite ongoing state funding uncertainty. As detailed in the report, the FY2017 budget does not rely on one-time revenue sources or service cuts despite declining fare revenue and includes a new transit tax increment financing (TIF) district to increase local capital funding for transit…
This article reports on a recent Civic Federation issue brief that includes a number of recommendations on ways the Chicago Public Schools can increase transparency. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall says that the Federation has always paid some attention to Chicago Public Schools’ transparency and notes that extra scrutiny is now needed because of the District’s troubled finances.
This article discusses a proposed constitutional amendment that would make the State of Illinois’ transportation revenue off limits for other purposes, noting that the amendment would not prevent State tax increases. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, remarks that attempting to fix State roads without raising taxes fails to recognize Illinois’ current financial situation.
This article covers the Civic Federation’s recent analysis of the City of Chicago’s FY2017 proposed budget. The Federation supports the City’s FY2017 budget because it continues to address unfunded pension liabilities and makes significant improvements to past financial practices. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall remarks that Chicago is in much better shape than it was five years ago but is not out of the woods yet.
This article discusses findings included in the Civic Federation’s City of Chicago FY2017 proposed budget analysis and highlights some concerns the Federation has on Chicago’s finances. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, comments that the City’s FY2017 budget is good news for taxpayers but also notes the Federation’s concerns on the City’s continued structural deficit and relatively high debt burden, among others.
(CHICAGO) – In a report released today, the Civic Federation announced its support for the City of Chicago’s proposed FY2017 budget of approximately $8.2 billion because it continues to work toward addressing the City’s unfunded pension liabilities and makes significant improvements over past financial practices. The full 97-page analysis is available here. “This budget is relatively good news for the taxpayers of Chicago, because it continues the progress made by the Mayor and his team in…
The Civic Federation supports the proposed FY2017 City of Chicago budget of $8.2 billion because it continues to work toward addressing the City’s unfunded pension liabilities and makes significant improvements over past financial practices. Despite setbacks due to recent court rulings, all four City funds now have proposed dedicated funding sources. As mentioned in the full report, Mayor Emanuel has committed to ending the use of “scoop and toss” debt refinancing by 2019. The FY2017 budget…
Amid ongoing State-funding uncertainty, County implements prudent measures (CHICAGO) In a report released today, the Civic Federation announced its support for Cook County’s proposed FY2017 budget of $4.4 billion because it is reasonable, including expenditure reductions and revenue measures that will balance the County’s budgets through FY2019. The full 95-page report is available here. Because the State of Illinois continues to operate without a comprehensive, balanced budget, many of its…
The Civic Federation supports Cook County’s proposed FY2017 budget of $4.4 billion because it is reasonable, including expenditure reductions and revenue measures that will balance the County’s budgets through FY2019. The FY2017 budget includes a number of initiatives to close a preliminary deficit of $174.3 million. The full report also discusses Federation support for the realignment of staff positions within the Health System, the County’s reasonable pension funding plan, reduction of debt…
