The following are the five most read posts presented by the Civic Federation blog in 2016. These posts examine issues ranging from local government consolidation to pension funding reform. Cook County Electorate to Vote on Referendum to Merge the Recorder of Deeds with the County Clerk July 20, 2016 This post highlights an initiative long supported by the Civic Federation to merge the offices of the Cook County Clerk and the Cook County Recorder of Deeds. On June 29, 2016 the Cook…
This article analyzes how suburban Cook County park districts subsidize their recreational programs. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall commented on the Village of Palatine’s use of recreational program revenue for capital projects, noting that transferring surpluses from one year to other accounts is acceptable, as long as it’s not used to avoid voter approval for large capital expenses that have long-term financial obligations for the district’s taxpayers.
(CHICAGO) In an analysis released today, the Civic Federation announced its support for the Chicago Park District’s proposed FY2017 operating budget of $449.4 million. The budget continues to reduce the District’s reliance on fund balance to close its budget deficits and keeps the property tax levy relatively flat. The full 61-page analysis is here. As detailed in the analysis, the Federation supports the District’s efforts to maintain a high level of fund balance, reduce its reliance on…
The Civic Federation supports the Chicago Park District’s proposed FY2017 operating budget of $449.4 million because it continues to reduce the District’s reliance on fund balance to close its budget deficits and keeps the property tax levy relatively flat. At a time of increased pressure for local governments across Illinois, the Chicago Park District’s proposed FY2017 budget furthers the District’s long-term goals while showing restraint on the property tax levy. As detailed in the report,…
This article examines a new transit tax increment financing (TIF) district that will help fund the Chicago Transit Authority red line modernization. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, acknowledges that this is a creative way to fund Chicago transit in the absence of a State capital bill, but warns that it could change the policy for how public transit is funded in Illinois.
This article discusses the City of Chicago’s decision to extend its property tax rebate application deadline after only a small percentage of eligible City homeowners applied. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, remarks that the rebate program is a broad-brush exemption with modest financial benefit compared to the amount of effort it takes to apply.
(CHICAGO) In an analysis released today, the Civic Federation announced its support for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s FY2017 Tentative budget of $1.13 billion because the District continues to demonstrate a sensible and proactive approach to meeting its financial challenges. The full 57-page analysis is available here. As detailed in the report, the FY2017 Tentative budget is 9.0% less than the FY2016 adjusted budget of $1.24 billion, which is due to the variance that…
The Civic Federation supports the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s FY2017 Tentative budget of $1.13 billion because the District continues to demonstrate a sensible and proactive approach to meeting its financial challenges. As mentioned in the full report, the FY2017 Tentative budget is 9.0% less than the FY2016 adjusted budget of $1.24 billion, which is due to the variance that often occurs between budget years, reflecting the District’s multi-year capital projects. The FY2017…
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.
On October 11, 2016, Mayor Rahm Emanuel presented his recommended FY2017 budget to the Chicago City Council. Included in the Mayor’s recommended budget for FY2017 is a proposal to impose a new $0.07 tax on disposable plastic and paper bags provided by merchants to customers. Stores would be responsible for collecting the tax but would then remit $0.05 per bag to the City and keep $0.02. The Mayor’s budget proposal projects that the tax will generate approximately $12.9 million in FY2017 of…
