by Daniel VeseckyNote: This summary was prepared in advance of the November 10, 2025, hearing to serve as an easy reference for City Council members, media, advocates, and Chicago residents.With the City of Chicago (Chicago or the ‘City’)…
By Grant McClintock and Daniel VeseckyUpdate 11/6/2025: On November 5, S&P Global Ratings adjusted its outlook on Chicago’s credit rating from stable to negative. Read the Civic Federation's…
by Daniel VeseckyTax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts are a complex, often misunderstood part of Chicago’s tax structure. TIF Districts segment and dedicate a portion of property tax collections within a designated geographic area to…
A coalition of Illinois policy and civic leaders released Modernizing Illinois' Sales Tax: A Pathway to a Sustainable Future, which outlines the potential impacts of updating the state’s sales tax system. The report — coauthored by…
The Civic Federation shares a comprehensive report to spur and guide the Governor and Illinois General Assembly in conducting a holistic re-set of the State’s fiscal structure and adopting a more strategic approach to budgeting that…
This short report presents trends on increases in total property tax extensions for all the governments on typical Chicago property tax bills. A taxpayer in the City of Chicago pays property taxes to 7 or 8 local governments, depending on…
