Chicago Public Schools

July 25, 2005

Chicago Public Schools FY2006 Recommended Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the FY2006 Chicago Public Schools budget as a short-term plan to address the current year’s fiscal and programmatic challenges. It expresses concern about the budget’s lack of basic transparency, and warns of…

February 16, 2005

Status of Local Pension Funding 2003: An Evaluation of Nine Local Pension Funds within Cook County

This report provides a trend analysis of indicators that measure the financial health and performance of 9 major local government pension funds from 1998 to 2003. It finds a combined $9.7 billion in unfunded liabilities for the nine funds.

August 20, 2004

Chicago Public Schools FY2005 Recommended Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation was pleased with some elements of the $5.05 billion CPS budget, but also identified several areas of concern and opposed the $50 million maximum allowable increase in the property tax levy.

August 1, 2004

GASB 34 Reporting Guidelines For Government Financial Statements: A Civic Federation Issue Brief

This issue brief provides a "plain English" description of how GASB 34 has increased transparency in government financial reporting. It is illustrated with examples from the City of Chicago's FY2002 CAFR, as well as State of Illinois and…

January 31, 2004

Status of Local Pension Funding 2002: An Evaluation of Nine Local Pension Funds within Cook County

This report provides a 6-year trend analysis of indicators that measure the financial health and performance of 9 major local government pension funds from 1997 to 2002.

November 20, 2003

A Snapshot of Regional Finance in Northeastern Illinois 1997-2000

This report presents a macro-level overview of expenditure, revenue, debt and personnel trends of 1,043 governments in Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane, McHenry, and Will Counties. It includes FY1997 and FY2000 comparative information for…

June 20, 2003

Chicago Public Schools FY2004 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation was disappointed that, rather than cut non-essential or redundant programs, the Chicago Public Schools FY2004 budget of $4.8 billion included a $36 million property tax increase and made only a minimal 30-position…

January 20, 2003

Status of Local Pension Funding 2001: An Evaluation of Nine Local Pension Funds within Cook County & the Five Collar County Funds in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund

This report provides a 6-year trend analysis of indicators that measure the financial health and performance of 9 major local government pension funds from 1996 to 2001.

July 1, 2002

Chicago Public Schools FY2003 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation applauded the Chicago Public Schools for eliminating $28 million in spending, in addition to the $90 million in cuts made in May in order to close a cumulative budget gap of at least $192 million. However, the…

September 1, 2001

Status of Local Pension Funding 2000: An Evaluation of Nine Local Pension Funds within Cook County & the Five Collar County Funds in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund

A 6-year trend analysis of indicators that measure the financial health and performance of 9 major local government pension funds from 1995 to 2000.