Local Governments Must Repay $168 Million to the State
In April 2016, the Illinois Department of Revenue announced that it discovered a misallocation totaling an estimated $168 million in…
This article reports on the City of Chicago’s record property tax increase and how it will affect City homeowners this year. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic federation, notes that with Chicago’s historic underfunding of pensions,…
This article reports on a City of Chicago plan to create a property tax rebate to lower the tax burden to City homeowners. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, says it’s difficult to see how Chicago can afford a property tax…
This segment reports on the Illinois General Assembly overriding Governor Rauner’s veto of pension reforms for the City of Chicago’s police and fire pension funds and on the short and long-term effects of the legislation. Laurence Msall,…
This article reports on the City of Chicago’s recent agreement with the Laborers Pension Fund to save the fund from insolvency through a combination of union concessions and revenue from telephone tax increases. Laurence Msall, President…
This segment discusses the State of Illinois’ almost year-long budget impasse and how the expiration of the 2011 temporary income tax hike in 2015 has affected the State’s finances. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall remarks that…
This article explains that the City of Chicago has yet to provide alternative reforms for two of its pension funds after an Illinois Supreme Court ruling overturned the City’s previous reform plan. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall…
This editorial reports on findings included in the Civic Federation’s recent analysis of Governor Rauner’s FY2017 proposed budget and…
This segment reports on two General Assembly working groups currently meeting in Springfield to negotiate an end to Illinois’ FY2016 budget impasse. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, notes that the State cannot go another…