Government Budgets

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How much could Chicago pension payments jack up your property tax bill? Try 30 percent

This article discusses the potential for Chicago residents to see a significant property tax increase, due to the intensifying financial challenges facing the City of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools. The Civic Federation said new…

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Chicago schools face $200 million in cuts

This segment covers the severe budget challenges facing Chicago Public Schools that were further exacerbated following a $634 million pension payment made June 30. The Civic Federation said CPS has been facing a structural deficit for…

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A look at Chicago's financial crisis over schools

This segment covers the $634 million pension payment made in full by Chicago Public Schools on June 30, which put added pressure on District’s already

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Can Illinois Produce More Revenue? Legislators Say YES

This segment covers a community forum in which certain Illinois legislators said the State has more options for increasing revenue. Senator Pat McGuire cited the Civic Federation’s…

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Chicago Schools Seen as City’s Next Hurdle as Pension Bill Looms

This article discusses the difficult financial choices Chicago Public Schools is facing as it approaches a $634 million pension payment due June 30 and a $1.1 billion deficit for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The Civic Federation said…

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City Council Approves Major Debt Restructuring and Future Capital Borrowing

On June 17, 2015 the Chicago City Council approved the largest borrowing of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s tenure, totaling $1.1 billion. The issuance pays for the current costs of refinancing the City of Chicago’s variable rate debt, ending its…

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Illinois Legislature Passes $36.3 Billion FY2016 Spending Plan

The Illinois General Assembly has approved a $36.3 billion general operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year with an acknowledged shortfall of at least $3.0 billion in revenues. The package of approximately 20 appropriation bills and…

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Can CPS be saved?

This editorial discusses the $1.1 billion deficit Chicago Public Schools is facing and the decisions the District will need to make before the fall school year begins. It cites the Civic Federation’s…

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How can CPS make looming pension payment and payroll? That's the 'magic question'

This article covers the tough financial choices Chicago Public Schools is facing coming into the fall 2015 school year, including a $634 million pension payment. The Civic Federation discussed the District’s difficult options: severe…

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Emanuel's pension plan: Relief on payments, casino to pay for it

This article discusses Mayor Emanuel’s plan to tackle a sharp increase in required payments to the City’s pension funds next year, based on a 2010 law aimed at bringing the City’s Police and Fire pension funds back to 90 percent funded by…