Government Budgets

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County FY2014 Executive Budget Recommendation: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the Forest Preserve District of Cook County’s FY2014 proposed $178.8 million budget that holds the property tax levy flat and maintains substantial reserve funds. However, the Federation warns that these…

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Pensions, Deficits Loom for Cook County, Ill.: Watchdog Group

(The full content of this article is only available to the publication’s subscribers.) This article covers the release of the Civic Federation’s FY2014 Cook County Budget…

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New Preckwinkle budget counts on Obamacare, but not new taxes

This article covers Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s October 10 address presenting her FY2014 recommended budget to the Cook County Board. The Civic Federation was supportive of initial details of the budget announcement…

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Reagan Revolution Misses Tax Fiefdoms Flourishing in U.S.

This article looks at the nationwide increase of local governments and special taxing districts, focusing on Illinois’ 7,000 units of government. The Civic Federation urges greater oversight and consolidation of Illinois’ local governments…

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Health System's Medicaid Expansion Plan Central to Cook County FY2014 Budget

In a report released today, the Civic Federation supports Cook County’s proposed FY2014 operating budget of $3.2 billion, which holds the property tax levy relatively flat by reducing expenditures and aggressively pursuing new revenue for…

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Cook County FY2014 Executive Budget Recommendation: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports Cook County’s proposed FY2014 operating budget of $3.2 billion for holding the property tax levy relatively flat, reducing expenditures and aggressively pursuing new revenue for the Cook County Health and…

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Chicago budget hits smokers, drivers; No new sales, gas or property taxes

This article covers new fines and fees proposed during Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s October 23 City Budget Address, which emphasized the need to confront the City’s severely underfunded pension funds. The Civic Federation said the City’s Fire Fund…

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Analysis: No answers for Chicago's pension ills as mayor prepares budget

This article covers Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s October 23 City Budget Address, which was punctuated by the urgent need for the State to act on pension reform. The Civic Federation said the City of Chicago’s current pension crisis is the result…

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New Location Buoys Casino Revenues But Illinois Taxes Remain Flat

According to the latest legislative report on gaming in Illinois, total casino revenues have recovered since the opening of the State’s tenth riverboat casino…

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Capital Planning Overview: State and Local Government Summary

As part of its ongoing analysis of State and local government budgets, the Civic Federation also reviews proposed capital budgets along with any planning documents provided in support of infrastructure investments. Although many…