Government Budgets

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Illinois Clears Backlog of Income Tax Refunds and Reaps Surpluses

As recently as 2011, the State of Illinois projected its backlog of unpaid income tax refunds could increase to more than $1.0 billion but by the end of…

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Illinois to Fund Kidney Transplants for Undocumented Residents

A new law that restores certain Medicaid benefits previously cut due to budget pressures also adds a new service: kidney transplants for undocumented Illinois residents.…

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Social Impact Funding through Pay for Success Contracts in Illinois

Despite its name, a social impact bond (SIB) is not a debt instrument and does not require a government to issue debt. Rather, an SIB is a social impact financing arrangement whereby funds are raised from private sector investors to…

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Illinois Should Not Budget for Payment Delays

Businesses do not always pay their bills immediately, and neither do governments. Delays of a month or two are standard practice, although prompt…

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Cook County Health eyes new call center, more nurses to better compete for patients

This article discusses the 2015 Cook County Health and Hospitals System’s preliminary budget which is based on a projected increase in CountyCare membership to about 150,000 members from about 100,000 in FY2014. The Civic Federation urged…

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State Undertakes Revenue Study to Evaluate Reserves Policy

In the coming months, the State of Illinois will conduct a revenue volatility study to establish a basis for an adequate rainy day fund balance to protect the State from future economic downturns and other revenue variances. This analysis…

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Estimated Full Value of Real Estate in Cook County Falls to Lowest Level Since 2001

(CHICAGO) The full market value of real estate in Cook County was approximately $414.4 billion in tax assessment year 2012 according to an annual estimate released today by the Civic Federation. The 2012 total value estimate represents a…

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Estimated Full Value of Real Property in Cook County: 2003-2012

This report provides estimates of the total market value of real property in Cook County from 2003-2012 and shows how property value is spread among the City of Chicago, the northern and the southern suburbs.The full market value of…

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Illinois Medicaid Legislation Increases Payments to Nursing Homes, Hospitals

Despite Illinois’ tight budget for the current fiscal year, the State enacted major Medicaid legislation featuring increased payments…

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The Governmental Research Association: A Resource for Non-Partisan, Evidence-Based Public Policy Research

The Civic Federation is a member of the Governmental Research Association (GRA), which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The GRA is the national organization of individuals professionally engaged in governmental research.…