This report provides an overview of the condition and funding of Illinois infrastructure based on a compilation of various needs assessments from public agencies that manage infrastructure in the State including the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, the Regional Transportation Authority, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. The Civic…
In its second annual report issued earlier this month, the Illinois’ Budgeting for Results Commission called for the elimination or replacement of mandated expenditures including statutorily required boards and commissions, program initiatives, fund transfers and other expenditures currently required under Illinois law but judged to be outdated or obsolete. Mandated expenditures direct agencies…
A national report on state budget issues released this week details the ongoing operating budget problems in Illinois and highlights the State’s dire need to invest in its neglected infrastructure. According to the State Budget Crisis Task Force report on Illinois, State and local governments could need to invest more than $300 billion over the next 30 years to maintain depleted roads, bridges,…
The fact that the State of Illinois is no longer behind on paying business income tax refunds is good news for taxpayers and the State budget. But due to an obscure provision of State law, the elimination of the refund backlog also means that the State will distribute an estimated $182 million less in Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT) to local governments in FY2013 than in FY2012. As…
Although discussion about the State of Illinois’ annual budget primarily focuses on the operating expenditures the State also appropriates significant funding each year for capital investments. The State approved a $22.7 billion capital budget for FY2013 that is not part of the $33.0 billion General Funds budget enacted for operations. Since FY2005, the State’s capital budget and operating budget…
This analysis of the State of Illinois’ Fiscal Year 2013 budget estimates that projected savings could reduce the State’s existing backlog of $8.9 billion in unpaid bills by roughly $1.3 billion, but warned that the reduction may be difficult to achieve. The budget reflects significant steps to rein in the costs of Medicaid but fails to address the unsustainable costs of the State’s pension…
An analysis released today by the Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability at the Civic Federation estimated the State’s FY2013 budget could reduce the existing backlog of unpaid bills by roughly $1.3 billion, but warned that the reduction may be difficult to achieve. The State’s $33.0 billion operating budget reflects significant steps to rein in the costs of Medicaid but fails to address…
Although the State of Illinois is still burdened with a multibillion-dollar backlog of unpaid bills, one component of that backlog—unpaid income tax refunds—is now expected to be eliminated at the end of FY2013. The Illinois Department of Revenue projects that no approved refunds will be unpaid on June 30, 2013. That compares with $735 million owed at the end of FY2010 and…
On August 17, 2012, Illinois legislators adjourned a special one-day session of the General Assembly without taking action on the State’s pension crisis. Due to the stalled effort, the State continues to face pension costs that will consume an increasing share of its resources over the next two decades. The chart below compares total pension costs—including State contributions and payments on…
The State of Illinois’ enacted budget for FY2013 is missing key components needed to carry out the General Assembly’s spending plan, according to a recent filing in connection with State bond offerings. The bond disclosure documents, which were filed by Governor Pat Quinn’s Office on August 6, 2012, indicate that the enacted general operating funds budget totals $33.041 billion. In contrast, a…
