03.17.08
This joint report by the Civic Federation and Friends of the Forest Preserves calls for the creation of an independent board of commissioners for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. The...
Library
03.10.08
This brief provides a compilation of selected consumer taxes, including rates and descriptions, in place in the City of Chicago as of October 4, 2007. It includes such taxes as the sales tax, gas...
02.04.08
This report provides a trend analysis of indicators that measure the financial health and performance of ten major local government pension funds from 1997 to 2006. It finds a combined 18.3...
11.12.07
This report explains the impact of TIF on taxpayers and local governments in Illinois. It also reviews the TIF designation process, recent empirical research on TIF, and provides detailed...
10.04.07
This report provides estimates of the total market value of real property in Cook County from 1996-2005 and shows how property value is spread among the City of Chicago, the northern and the...
10.04.07
This report compares property tax rates in selected communities around metropolitan Chicago, and finds that effective rates for commercial property in Chicago declined by nearly 50 percent between...
07.23.07
This report explains the laws and funding mechanisms applicable to charter schools in Illinois and investigates how Illinois charter schools affect the finances of their host school districts. It...
State of Illinois Employee Health Insurance Plans: Analysis and Recommendations for Cost Containment
04.16.07
This report reviews the features and costs of the current State of Illinois employee group health insurance program, examines the fiscal impact of the program on the State operating budget, and...
04.01.07
This report compares Illinois school districts' financial management and accountability standards with nationwide best practices, and makes policy recommendations regarding steps Illinois should...
03.26.07
This comprehensive property tax study examines the effects of the "7% cap" (expanded homeowner exemption) on property tax throughout Cook County from 2002-2005, and projected 2006-2008. The report...