The Civic Federation supports Cook County’s proposed FY2017 budget of $4.4 billion because it is reasonable, including expenditure reductions and revenue measures that will balance the County’s budgets through FY2019. The FY2017 budget…
This editorial discusses a proposed amendment to the Illinois constitution that would restrict the State of Illinois in how it uses transportation-related revenues. The editorial board urges Illinoisans to vote ‘no’ on the provision. Civic…
The following letter to the editor was published the week of October 17, 2016. On November 8, the Illinois electorate will be asked to vote on a proposed amendment to our state’s constitution. Commonly called the Lockbox Amendment,…
This article examines a proposed constitutional amendment that would prevent the State of Illinois from diverting transportation funds for other uses and discusses the potential consequences it could have. Laurence Msall, President of the…
Following Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s FY2017 budget address, Civic Federation President Laurence Msall spoke with a pool of reporters about the finances of both the City of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools. He called the Mayor’s proposed budget…
This article reports on a tentative contract deal reached between the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall notes that CPS should not rely on TIF surplus funds, because they are…
This article discusses a proposed constitutional amendment on the November 2016 ballot that would prevent the State of Illinois from diverting transportation funds for other uses. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall explains that…
This article discusses how recent changes to expected rates of return and other factors for several of the State of Illinois’ pension funds are increasing pressure on the State to address reforms. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall…
This article analyzes the connection between pension debt and major tax increases among selected U.S. states and municipalities. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall notes that the percentage of state source revenue going to Illinois…
