Government Budgets

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Before you vote…Legislators should look at cutting state spending first

This editorial says the State of Illinois should cut spending before searching for additional sources of revenue. It cites the Civic Federation’s “Fiscal Rehabilitation Plan for the State of…

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Quinn, Lawmakers Still Working On Tax Hike

In this news segment about plans to increase the State of Illinois income tax in order to balance its budget, Civic Federation President Laurence Msall says that any tax increase must be part of a long-term fiscal plan.

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Illinois faces $13 billion budget deficit

This segment of the “Marketplace” program discusses the effect the State of Illinois budget gap has had on its fiscal outlook. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall says the State has not properly funded its pension system, which could…

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IIFS Blog Provides Context and Commentary on State Fiscal Issues

Over the course of 2010 the IIFS blog explored a number of State of Illinois budget topics ranging from Medicaid/HMO funding issues to the State public pension system. Posts on the IIFS blog not only supplement IIFS publications, but also…

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Civic Federation Provides Extensive Online Commentary and Analysis

In 2010 the Civic Federation blog provided comprehensive information about government and fiscal issues across Illinois for the public, government officials and media. In a range of posts on topics from the…

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Recovery Bond Program Ends, Illinois Expects $1 Billion in Subsidies

Congress appears to have sealed the fate of the federal Build America Bond (BAB) subsidy by not including renewal of the program in the package of unemployment benefits and…

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Where do the Cook County Sales Tax, Amusement Tax and other Taxes go?

State and local governments utilize fund accounting in order to demonstrate accountability and compliance with rules, laws and regulations.[1] For example, Cook County has a multitude of funds…

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Civic Federation to Cook: Simplify property taxes, cut bureaucracy

The Civic Federation’s position on the Cook County property tax system is the focus of this article. In the report, the Federation says the…

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County property tax overhaul urged

This article discusses the Civic Federation’s position on the Cook County property tax system, which says the County should make the system…

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Broken budget awaits next mayor

This article explores the financial landscape that will confront the next mayor of the City of Chicago. The Civic Federation says that the City entered the current economic recession without an economic plan and that the next mayor will…