FY2016

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Civic Federation questions Emanuel’s utility tax plan

This article discusses the Civic Federation’s call for a full actuarial analysis of the City of Chicago’s plan to save the City’s Municipal Employees Pension Fund and questions whether it may be enough. Civic Federation President Laurence…

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Cook County Board spending way more on staffs than collar county boards

This article discusses the cost to Cook County taxpayers of separate staffs for each of the 17 Cook County Commissioners. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall remarks that the situation lends itself to further examination and notes…

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Evanston Township Dissolution Saves Taxpayers Nearly $780,000

The City of Evanston recently released a white paper on the initial results following the dissolution of its coterminous township. Based on the results…

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Illinois to Seek Federal Funding for Behavioral Healthcare Overhaul

August 24, 2016 UPDATE 3: The State now plans to post the draft waiver application on August 26 and hold public hearings in Springfield…

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City Reduces Budget Deficit but Long-Term Challenges Remain

The City of Chicago recently released its mid-year Annual Financial Analysis for 2016, which provides financial estimates for the City’s fiscal year ending…

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Emanuel eyes utility tax increase to save largest pension fund

This article reports on the City of Chicago’s potential plan to save the Municipal Employees Pension fund through raising utility taxes. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall remarks that there are very few, if any, sources of revenue…

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A Comparison of Community College Tuition Rates in Northeastern Illinois

The Civic Federation recently released its analysis of the City Colleges of Chicago FY2017 Tentative Annual Operating Budget. This blog…

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Emanuel to use Skyway windfall to bankroll property tax rebate

This article discusses a plan to provide $20 million in property tax rebates to City of Chicago homeowners. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, notes that the program is likely to have a very modest impact to Chicago…

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Cook County Electorate to Vote on Referendum to Merge the Recorder of Deeds with the County Clerk

On June 29, 2016 the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a resolution to present a public question via a binding countywide referendum…

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State Higher Education Funding Still Below FY2015

Despite a stopgap spending measure enacted on June 30, 2016, State of Illinois appropriations for higher education remain below expenditures in…