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August 5, 2010
The Civic Federation supports the City Colleges FY2011 proposed budget totaling $581.9 million, which includes $454.4 million for the operating budget and $127.5 million for capital improvements. The City Colleges is proposing to reduce its property tax levy while pursuing a reorganization plan that will centralize more administrative functions and increase programmatic specialization at its seven college campuses. However, the Civic Federation is concerned with a predicted funding gap through FY2013 and inadequate amount of time allotted for public review of the budget document.
August 4, 2010 - 3:11pm
A tax increment financing (TIF) transparency bill (Public Act 096-1335) passed by the Illinois legislature in May and signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn on July 27 includes a number of long-standing Civic Federation recommendations detailed in the Federation’s 2007 TIF report:
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August 4, 2010 - 10:31am
The Civic Federation recently announced a call for nominations for the 19th Annual Motorola Foundation Excellence in Public Service Award. The Excellence in Public Service Award recognizes a non-elected government employee who has made an extraordinary impact on the quality of government services in state or local government. The award seeks to honor individuals who show dedication to a vision of quality management, leadership, and innovation that leads to lasting achievements and more effective government in Illinois.
Individuals eligible for nomination are currently serving as non-elected state or local government officials in Illinois, including department heads and chiefs of staff.
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August 3, 2010
The full market value of real estate in Cook County was approximately $616.2 billion in tax year 2008 according to an annual estimate released today by the Civic Federation. This total value represents a decline of $40.3 billion, or 6.1%, from the 2007 estimated full value. Tax year 2008 is the most recent year for which data is available.
Read the press release for this report here.
Updated August 5, 2010 to reflect revised data from the Illinois Department of Revenue
August 3, 2010
Updated August 5, 2010 to reflect revised data from the Illinois Department of Revenue
CHICAGO – The full market value of real estate in Cook County was approximately $616.2 billion in tax year 2008 according to an annual estimate released today by the Civic Federation. This total value represents a decline of $40.3 billion, or 6.1%, from the 2007 estimated full value. Tax year 2008 is the most recent year for which data is available.
July 29, 2010 - 2:51pm
On Tuesday in New York City, the Governmental Research Association recognized the Civic Federation’s Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability with its Most Distinguished Research Award for the Institute’s “A Fiscal Rehabilitation Plan for the State of Illinois."
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July 29, 2010
Chicago Sun-Times - Page 19
This article is about how the City of Chicago’s unreserved 2009 cash balance of $2.7 million is indicative of major budget troubles. The Civic Federation says that a city as large as Chicago should have a budget reserve of at least $200 million and that Chicago is in a precarious financial position that will require a restructuring of its services.
July 28, 2010 - 2:12pm
On June 17, 2010 the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District held a study session to discuss office space options for the District’s administrative staff. Steve Weiss, owner of Weiss Architects LLC, presented a report on main office strategies that was commissioned by the District. Mr.
We welcome any questions and feedback about the content of this blog. Please e-mail blog@civicfed.org with your query.
July 22, 2010
WTTW's "Chicago Tonight"
In this segment of the “Chicago Tonight” news program about the City of Chicago budget and the City's use of proceeds from the parking meter privatization deal, Civic Federation President Laurence Msall said while the Federation generally supports privatization of non-core government services, it strongly opposes the use of the proceeds for operating expenses.
July 22, 2010 - 11:43am
Despite a $2 billion drop in the State’s annual revenues in FY2010 , the General Assembly passed Governor Pat Quinn's proposal to provide a back-to-school sales tax holiday for Illinois consumers as part of the FY2011 budget.
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