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October 2, 2025
Divided Waters: Addressing the Fragmentation of Water Governance in Northeastern Illinois
More than 5.5 million residents in northeastern Illinois rely on Lake Michigan for their drinking water needs. Yet, despite its undeniable importance, the system designed to manage this critical resource is a patchwork of competing interests and fragmented governance, resulting in inefficient delivery of this basic resource. This report explores the challenges and opportunities in our current system, arguing that northeastern Illinois’ water governance system should not continue as it is.
Featured Reports & Analysis
September 18, 2025
Chicago Public Schools FY2026 Budget Overview
On August 28th, 2025, Chicago Public Schools (CPS, or the “District”) passed a balanced budget for its 2026 fiscal year, covering the 2025-2026 school year. The budget successfully closed a $734 million deficit. The District’s choice to avoid short-term borrowing as a deficit-closing method likely prevented a credit downgrade. Although the District managed to balance the FY2026 budget, it faces numerous challenges going forward, most notably a continued structural deficit, estimated at $520 million for FY2027 and projected to grow in future years.
August 26, 2025
Property Tax Collection Rates in Cook County: Trends, Disparities, and Fiscal Implications
Property taxes are the primary revenue source for Illinois local governments, funding schools, pensions, and essential services. Maintaining strong property tax collection rates—typically above 95%—is critical for community stability and fiscal health. This report's findings underscore deep structural inequities in Illinois’ reliance on property taxes to fund local services. Without intervention, declining collection rates and widening disparities will continue to undermine the fiscal health of governments in Cook County, particularly those serving historically under-resourced communities.
March 19, 2025
Modernizing Illinois' Sales Tax: A Pathway to a Sustainable Future
As the State of Illinois’ second largest revenue source, the sales tax is a critical tool that supports government operations and public services throughout the state. First implemented in the 1930s, Illinois’ antiquated sales tax structure still primarily taxes goods rather than services. Due to this narrow tax base — which does not reflect the modern, service-oriented economy — the sales tax is falling short. Illinois needs a more strategic and sustainable fiscal structure that delivers consistent and reliable revenue growth, efficient spending, and economic competitiveness.
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Keep up with the Civic Federation's latest research and recommendations on fiscal policy and other key issues facing our state and local governments.