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The Civic Federation is a member of the Governmental Research Association.
The Civic Federation
The Civic Federation is a non-partisan government research organization working to maximize the quality and cost-effectiveness of government services in the Chicago region and State of Illinois.
The Federation's membership includes business and professional leaders from a wide range of Chicago-area companies and institutions.
The Civic Federation publishes reports and commentary about local government tax policies, government services, and public expenditures. The Federation's new research institute, the Institute for Illinois' Fiscal Sustainability, examines a wide range of fiscal issues relating to the State of Illinois.
Recent Research
05.21.13
Status of Local Pension Funding Fiscal Year 2011
Chicago-area public employee pension funding levels dropped significantly in FY2011, with unfunded liabilities for the ten funds analyzed rising to $32.0 billion from $27.4 billion in FY2010, an...
05.13.13
State of Illinois FY2014 Recommended Operating and Capital Budgets: Analysis and Recommendations
The Civic Federation supports Governor Pat Quinn’s $62.4 billion FY2014 recommended operating budget for balancing revenues and expenditures without borrowing and making progress toward...
02.28.13
Selected Consumer Taxes in the City of Chicago
This brief provides a compilation of selected consumer taxes, including rates and descriptions, in place in the City of Chicago as of January 1, 2013. It includes such taxes as the sales tax, gas tax...
02.25.13
State of Illinois FY2014 Budget Roadmap
Prior to the release of the Governor’s annual budget recommendation, the Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability at the Civic Federation releases an analysis of the State of...
Upcoming Events
06.11.13
The Civic Federation’s 2013 Civic Awards Luncheon
Co-chairs Lester Crown, Dan Goodwin, Andrew J. McKenna, Michael J. Sacks and the entire Board of Directors of the Civic Federation are pleased to honor Harrison I. Steans, Chairman of the Executive...
Recent Blog Posts
05.21.13
State Pays Down Backlog of Bills
In the News
05.15.13: Fox Chicago
State Lawmakers Move Closer to Legalizing Internet Gambling
05.15.13: Chicago Sun-Times
City to phase out health-care subsidy for 30,000 retirees but 5,500 oldest will be covered
05.13.13: Chicago Tribune
An independent set of eyes
05.13.13: Associated Press
Watchdog group says state must address pensions
05.13.13: Bond Buyer