Issues: Capital

Capital investment in Illinois should be responsibly planned and funded transparently. The IIFS believes the citizens of Illinois deserve a clear understanding of how and where the state plans to spend taxpayer money on capital improvements throughout the state. Read IIFS recommendations about capital investment and funding here.

Recent Research

  • 04.26.10

    State of Illinois FY2011 Recommended Operating and Capital Budgets: Analysis and Recommendations

    The Civic Federation opposes Governor Pat Quinn’s $52 billion FY2011 recommended operating budget for the State of Illinois because it is unbalanced and does too little to address the State’s fiscal crisis. The Governor’s recommended budget borrows billions to pay for operations while continuing to ignore the massive backlog of unpaid bills, which will make the State’s financial condition worse.

    Although the Civic Federation is encouraged that Governor Quinn has signed significant pension reform legislation and recommends some reductions in spending, we cannot support his FY2011 State of Illinois operating budget because it does not effectively stabilize state finances or substantially reduce the State’s $12.9 billion deficit going into FY2011.

  • 02.22.10

    A Fiscal Rehabilitation Plan for the State of Illinois

    An Analysis of the State’s Fiscal Crisis and Actionable Recommendations for Governor Pat Quinn and the Illinois General Assembly

    Please visit the Illinois Fiscal Rehabilitation Plan web page for a comprehensive look at the report.

  • 11.03.09

    Chicago Transit Authority FY2010 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

    The Civic Federation supports the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) proposed FY2010 budget of $1.29 billion. Facing significant public funding short falls, CTA plans to close its $300.9 million deficit with fare increases ranging from 25 to 75 cents per ride, the elimination of 1,021 full-time equivalent positions, reductions in bus and rail service and the transfer of capital funds into general operating funds.