Government Budgets

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Where Do Your Property Tax Dollars Go?

Police, parks, streets, schools, community colleges, public hospitals, elections, courts, jails, mosquito abatement, sewage treatment…these are just a few of the services that, in Illinois, are provided by many different local governments…

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Is Illinois' New Budget Balanced?

More details are finally available on the FY2010 operating budget, and it would be difficult to describe it as balanced—even on paper. Depending on how you look at it, there is technically either a $157 million deficit or an $872 million…

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Governor Puts Off Budget Cuts

Hoping that Illinois lawmakers will agree to an income tax increase later this year, Governor Pat Quinn chose not to make the necessary cuts to work within the budget approved on July 15, 2009 by the General Assembly. At a press conference…

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City's 2010 budget forecast: Bring umbrella

  In this article about the City of Chicago's predicted FY2010 budget deficit, the Civic Federation is quoted saying that Chicago must look to reduce personnel expenditures, which make up 80% of the City budget.  

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State cuts put city schools in new bind

  This article examines the cuts Chicago Public Schools may have to make to its educational programs due to reductions in funding provided by the State of Illinois. The Civic Federation is quoted saying that CPS should…

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City Faces "Enormous Challenge" in Balancing 2010 Budget

This morning news segment features the Civic Federation's commentary on the City of Chicago's anticipated FY2010 budget shortfall of $520 million. The Federation praised Chicago's aggressive steps to combat this year's financial crisis,…

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City running on fumes

This article discusses the City of Chicago's preliminary budget estimates that show a $520 million shortfall for FY2010. The Civic Federation is quoted saying that there are no obvious sources of revenue to fill the gap that the…

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Report: City Colleges of Chicago has the Right Idea on Taxes

This article profiles the Civic Federation’s support of the City Colleges of Chicago budget. The Federation’s budget analysis praised City Colleges' decision to hold its property tax levy flat for the next two years. This article also…

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Fox Chicago Sunday: Laurence Msall

  In this interview, Civic Federation President Laurence Msall discusses the Illinois State operating budget deficit and the State’s unwise choice to borrow money in order to make its mandatory pension contributions.  

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More profiles in failure

This editorial examines the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Pat Quinn’s difficulty in passing an operating budget that does not rely on borrowing to meet its obligations. The Civic Federation is quoted enumerating the many problems…