This article discusses a shift by City Colleges of Chicago to a flat-rate tuition structure that would take effect as of the fall 2015 semester. It cites the Civic Federation’s FY2016 Analysis of the City Colleges of Chicago’s proposed budget, which commended the District for avoiding a property tax increase but expressed concern that students weren’t notified of the tuition changes until after registration for classes was opened.
This radio segment reviews the new flat-rate tuition structure being introduced by City Colleges of Chicago ahead of the fall 2015 school year. The Civic Federation said in its City Colleges FY2016 Budget Analysis that the District was right to show restraint in asking for more property tax revenue, but the size of the tuition increase could precipitate a larger than projected decline in future enrollment.
Proposal Holds Property Tax Levy Flat and Introduces Flat-Rate Tuition Structure In an analysis released today, the Civic Federation supports the City Colleges of Chicago’s proposed FY2016 operating budget of $695.6 million because it continues to minimize the financial burden placed on taxpayers by avoiding a property tax increase at a time when other local governments in Chicago are facing financial crises that will likely result in significant demands for increasing the City’s overall…
The Civic Federation supports the City Colleges tentative FY2016 budget totaling $695.6 million because it continues to minimize the financial burden placed on taxpayers by avoiding a property tax increase at a time when other local governments in Chicago are facing financial crises that will likely result in significant demands for increasing the City’s overall property tax burden. The budget also holds the District’s gross property tax levy relatively flat for the sixth consecutive year.…
This article discusses the potential for Chicago residents to see a significant property tax increase, due to the intensifying financial challenges facing the City of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools. The Civic Federation said new revenue will have to be part the solution for both governments.
This article looks at the range of insurance policies being considered as part of Boston’s bid for the 2024 Olympic Games, and whether policies could sufficiently protect taxpayers from covering costs. The Civic Federation’s analysis of Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid found insurance coverage adequately protected the taxpayer, but the developments required would expose the City to an ongoing real estate risk.
This segment explores the idea of a city income tax for Chicago and looks at city income tax rates in other cities. The Civic Federation said the tax could be a disincentive for attracting businesses.
This annual brief provides a compilation of selected consumer taxes, including rates and descriptions, in place in the City of Chicago as of January 1, 2015. It includes such taxes as the sales tax, amusement tax, lease tax, hotel tax, liquor tax, restaurant tax, soft drink tax, wheel tax and parking tax. Click here for a chart of Selected Consumer Tax Rates in Chicago as of January 1, 2015.
What local government purposes, services, or expenditures does your property tax dollar fund? Governments traditionally use property tax revenues to pay for a wide variety of expenditures, including employee salaries and pensions, debt service and administrative costs. But, there are significant differences among local governments regarding the use of these revenues. This blog post describes how property tax dollars were proposed to be spent in FY2015 by the three largest governments in…
This editorial discusses an upcoming $550 million increase in the City’s required pension payments and the stance of both mayoral candidates on increasing property taxes leading into the April 7 election. It cited the Civic Federation’s FY2015 City of Chicago Budget Analysis which said it was difficult to see how the City could make the increased payment without a significant increase in the city's property tax levy, crippling cuts to city services, or both.
