This article explains how employers in some states, including the State of Illinois, must pay higher taxes as a result of their state not paying back loans made by the Federal government to fund unemployment programs. The State of Illinois…
In a panel discussion, Civic Federation President Laurence Msall discusses the City of Chicago City Council’s approval of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s first City budget.
This article discusses the challenges facing City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in negotiations with the City’s unions. The Civic Federation says that Mayor Emanuel has made significant cuts and increased revenue and thus made a major dent…
The State of Illinois’ 44 regional school superintendents’ offices, which were slated for elimination in Governor Pat Quinn’s FY2012 budget recommendation, have been granted a reprieve—at least for one year. In presenting his proposed…
This editorial discusses the lack of action so far on the part of State of Illinois legislators during the veto session to address issues in the State’s pension system and its backlog of overdue bills. It cites the Civic Federation’s…
This article examines the City of Chicago’s issuance of bonds ahead of a vote on the City’s FY2012 budget proposal. The article also cites the Federation’s analysis of the proposal.
This editorial segment discusses cuts that could be made to the City of Chicago budget to fill a $635 million deficit. It mentions the Civic Federation’s support of the City’s FY2012 budget proposal because the proposal made significant…
The Civic Federation's legislative priorities for 2012 include public pension reform, requiring the State of Illinois to develop and implement a capital improvement plan, dissolving the Illinois International Port District, creating a new…
A proposed package of tax incentives currently being considered by the Illinois General Assembly includes eliminating tax relief known as “bonus depreciation” already provided to businesses for 2011 through a federal tax change that the…
The Chicago Transit Authority Board will vote on CTA President Forrest Claypool’s FY2012 Budget Recommendations on November 15, 2011. The proposed $1.2 billion operating budget closes a preliminary budget shortfall of approximately $277…
