On March 24, 2016 the Illinois Supreme Court filed its opinion affirming the Cook County Circuit Court’s ruling that the reforms made to the City of Chicago’s Municipal and Laborers’ Pension Funds in Public Act 98-0641 were unconstitutional because they reduced pension benefits in violation of the pension protection clause of the Illinois Constitution. Background Public Act 98-0641, signed into law on June 9, 2014, made changes to pension benefit levels for current…
As the State of Illinois’ budget impasse continues to drag on, it is commonly overlooked that the underlying economy and tax base in the State continue to grow. In FY2017 the State of Illinois is projected to have an additional $631 million in General Funds revenues available compared to FY2016, the current fiscal year. The Governor’s FY2017 recommended budget shows a maintenance level of revenues totaling $32.3 billion, which represents resources available based on current law, compared to $…
This article discusses the recent Illinois Supreme Court decision to uphold a Circuit Court ruling that reforms for two of Chicago’s pension funds are unconstitutional. The Civic Federation says the ruling limits financial options for strained local governments in Illinois and notes the need for clarity in the State’s pension protection clause.
This article reports on the Illinois Supreme Court ruling overturning reforms for two of the City’s pension funds and the potential consequences for Chicago taxpayers. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, notes that the short-term savings from overturning the reforms would be outweighed by the eventual insolvency of the funds.
This segment examines the City of Chicago’s short-term borrowing to fund police and fire pensions. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall indicates that borrowing for pension payments is not an ideal situation.
This article discusses the Chicago City Council authorizing up to $200 million of bonds to help pay termination fees to exit swaps linked to its water debt. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall noted that, while this helps the city refinance its variable-rate debt, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the full cost and how it will impact taxpayers.
This article reports on payments made to Chicago's police and fire pension funds using $220 million in short-term borrowing. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, called the borrowing an unfortunate, expensive, yet forseeable development, due to the lack of contingency planning in the City’s FY2016 budget.
With the budget for the current fiscal year still incomplete, Governor Bruce Rauner proposed a financial plan for the next budget year with an operating deficit of $3.5 billion. The proposed budget for fiscal year 2017, which begins on July 1, 2016 and ends on June 30, 2017, was issued on February 17, 2016. The recommended FY2017 budget includes general operating revenues of $32.8 billion and expenditures of $36.3 billion. Rather than providing a specific plan to close the $3.5 billion gap…
This editorial discusses the eight-month Illinois budget impasse, calling on Illinois General Assembly leaders to aid in passing a budget. The Civic Federation’s State of Illinois FY2017 Budget Roadmap is cited as a reasonable blueprint for what the State’s budget might look like, including a mix of increased revenues and spending cuts.
This editorial features recommendations found in the Civic Federation’s FY2017 Budget Roadmap and discusses Illinois’ potentially bleak future if steps aren’t taken to address the State’s financial crisis. The Editorial Board calls the Federation’s recommendations “warnings” and notes that problems that are ignored do not disappear—they only grow worse.
