Government Budgets

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Rahm Emanuel postpones briefings on CPS rescue

This article discusses the City of Chicago taking additional time to determine how to prevent the Chicago Public Schools from ending the school year early due to financial issues. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, notes…

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Rahm likely will have to rescue CPS, no matter how judge rules

This article discusses what options the City of Chicago might have to aid the Chicago Public Schools and prevent the District from ending the school year early due to serious financial issues. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall…

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‘Lifeline’ Plan Would Partially Fund Higher Education, Human Services

As Illinois approaches the end of its second year without a complete budget, lawmakers are debating a new plan to provide partial funding for higher education and human services. This blog post examines the size of the funding gap and how…

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Civic Federation – Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Conference Explores Chicago's Fiscal Future

The Civic Federation co-hosted a conference with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago on April 19, 2017 entitled, “Chicago’s Fiscal Future: Growth or Insolvency?” Experts, practitioners and academics from around the country gathered to…

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Chicago’s Fiscal Future: Growth or Insolvency?

Links to each presentation can be found within the forum's agenda below: --- 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. — Registration and Continental Breakfast Badge Pickup and Security Inspection in the Lobby 8:00 a.m.…

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Rauner Tax Freeze: Balm or Timebomb for Local Taxpayers?

This article discusses a proposal by Governor Bruce Rauner that would freeze property taxes in Illinois and the financial repercussions it could have on the State’s local governments. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall…

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In Illinois, a Push to Create a Distressed Local Government Authority

This article examines proposed legislation that would create a Local Government Protection Authority in Illinois, a longtime priority of the Civic Federation. In his testimony at an Illinois House committee hearing regarding the bill,…

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Illinois Senate Holds Hearing on Budget Problems, Solutions

On March 22, two State Senate committees heard testimony on Illinois’ fiscal crisis. The not surprising message of the nearly three-hour hearing: the State’s budget problems have built up over many years, driven largely by rising pension…

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Halftime In Springfield, Illinois Still Without A Budget

This segment discusses a recent Illinois Senate Appropriations Committee hearing and how the State of Illinois has gone without a budget for more than 20 months. During his testimony at the hearing, Civic Federation President Laurence…

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Budgetless Illinois Is Overspending By $6B, Experts Say

This article discusses a recent Illinois Senate Appropriations Committee hearing where legislators heard testimony regarding the State’s continued spending far in excess of its known revenues due to the absence of a budget. During his…