Cook County

.

2013 Year in Review on Civic Federation Blog

The following posts were among the most highly read on the Civic Federation blog in 2013 and represent some of the most closely followed local government issues this year:…

.

Civic Federation Budget Recommendations for Chicago-Area Local Governments

Last week the Civic Federation marked the end of the FY2014 budget season with a blog that summarized the proposed budgets for the eight local governments the Federation…

.

Estimated Full Value of Real Property in Cook County: 2002-2011

This report provides estimates of the total market value of real property in Cook County from 2002-2011 and shows how property value is spread among the City of Chicago, the northern and the southern suburbs. The full market value of real…

.

FY2014 Budget Season Summary

Last week marked the end of the FY2014 budget season for the eight local governments monitored…

.

Estimated Effective Property Tax Rates 2002-2011: Selected Municipalities in Northeastern Illinois

This report compares effective property tax rates in selected communities around metropolitan Chicago. The Civic Federation found mixed results across the region for effective tax rates in 2011 with rises in tax rates for all of the collar…

.

Cook County Pension Fund Levels Continue to Decline

 Recent trend analysis performed by the Civic Federation shows that the funded status of the Cook County Pension Fund declined again in fiscal year 2012, the most recent year for which data are available. The market value funded ratio…

.

Cook County FY2014 Executive Budget Recommendation: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports Cook County’s proposed FY2014 operating budget of $3.2 billion for holding the property tax levy relatively flat, reducing expenditures and aggressively pursuing new revenue for the Cook County Health and…

.

Homestead Exemption Value Trends in Cook County - 2000 to 2011

In June this blog described the property tax exemptions available to seniors in Illinois and explored…

.

Local Government Budgets: What to Watch for in 2014

Over the next few weeks, many Chicago-area local governments will be releasing their proposed budgets for fiscal year 2014. In preparation for the upcoming budget releases, this blog will recap the Civic Federation’s significant…

.

Six Chicago-Area Local Government Bond Ratings Downgraded in Three Months

Since July 2013 each of the six local governments monitored by the Civic Federation with General Obligation bond debt has experienced downgrades to their bond ratings. These governments are the City of Chicago, Cook County, the…