Government Efficiency and Transparency

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County FY2011 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the FY2011 Forest Preserve District of Cook County budget of $198.0 million, which includes both operating and capital expenditures. The proposed FY2011 budget represents a decrease of $236.3 thousand, or 0.1…

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Lack of Action on FY2011 Forest Preserve District Budget Demonstrates Need for Separate Governing Board

(CHICAGO) Even though the staff of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County completed and filed its budget three months ago and is now over three weeks into the 2011 fiscal year, the dual board of Commissioners that governs both the…

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Local Governments Need Transparent Long-Term Financial Planning

The Civic Federation often recommends that local governments undertake long-term financial forecasting and planning, which the Federation believes is one of the single most important financial practices for local governments to undertake.…

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Civic Federation Provides Extensive Online Commentary and Analysis

In 2010 the Civic Federation blog provided comprehensive information about government and fiscal issues across Illinois for the public, government officials and media. In a range of posts on topics from the…

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The Chicago Parking Garage Leases

 Although it does not receive as much attention as the Skyway and the metered parking system leases, the downtown public parking system lease was also…

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District FY2011 Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s FY2011 Tentative Budget of nearly $1.0 billion. The tentative budget is a $681.1 million, or 41.1% decrease over final adjusted FY2010 appropriations. This decline…

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Civic Federation Supports FY2011 MWRD Budget, Urges Reform of Deteriorating Pension Fund

CHICAGO — The Civic Federation supports the nearly $1 billion tentative budget proposed by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD). The District will reduce staffing levels and Corporate Fund spending as a…

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Civic Federation 2011 Legislative Priorities

The Civic Federation's legislative priorities for 2011 include public pension reform, requiring state government to develop and implement a capital improvement plan, the dissolving of the Illinois International Port District, creating a…

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City of Chicago FY2011 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation opposes the proposed FY2011 City of Chicago budget of nearly $6.2 billion because it does not effectively address the structural deficit and relies too heavily on asset lease reserve funds and debt restructuring to…

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Civic Federation: FY2011 Chicago Budget Does Not Address City's Structural Deficit

The Civic Federation announced today that it opposes the $6.2 billion FY2011 City of Chicago budget because it does not do enough to address the City’s structural deficit. Instead it relies upon long-term asset lease funds and other non-…