The following are the five most read blog posts presented by the Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability in 2016. These posts discuss issues ranging from penalties on Illinois’ overdue bills to the ongoing state budget impasse. Penalties on Overdue Bills Add Up for State of Illinois February 17, 2016 This post highlights the interest penalties that the State of Illinois pays due to…
2017 Civic Federation Legislative Priorities The Civic Federation's legislative priorities for 2017 include public employee pension reforms, consolidation of local government units in Illinois, expanding the sales tax base while controlling spending, creation of a Local Government Protection Authority, requiring the State of Illinois to build a rainy day…
This article discusses a State of Illinois program aimed at accelerating overdue payments to the State’s vendors. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall comments that no other state would set up this sort of program to pay its vendors because it dramatically inflates the cost of services.
This segment reports on a meeting in Springfield between Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and State legislative leaders to discuss Illinois’ ongoing budget crisis. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall comments on the State’s lack of progress addressing its financial issues, remarking that Illinois is the only state in the union that has gone this long without a complete budget.
This article discusses a proposed constitutional amendment that would make the State of Illinois’ transportation revenue off limits for other purposes, noting that the amendment would not prevent State tax increases. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, remarks that attempting to fix State roads without raising taxes fails to recognize Illinois’ current financial situation.
This editorial discusses a proposed amendment to the Illinois constitution that would restrict the State of Illinois in how it uses transportation-related revenues. The editorial board urges Illinoisans to vote ‘no’ on the provision. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall is cited, noting that maintaining safe roads is not by default more important than maintaining safe schools, higher…
This article examines a proposed constitutional amendment that would prevent the State of Illinois from diverting transportation funds for other uses and discusses the potential consequences it could have. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, remarks that the proposed amendment wouldn’t guarantee adequate future transportation funding and would further hinder Illinois lawmakers in…
This article discusses a proposed constitutional amendment on the November 2016 ballot that would prevent the State of Illinois from diverting transportation funds for other uses. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall explains that transportation funding is part of an overall state budget and should be treated as such. The article also references a recent Civic Federation blog post on…
This segment references two Civic Federation blog posts (here and here) and discusses the damage done to the State of Illinois as it continues to operate without a complete budget. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, notes that Illinois’ stopgap spending plan is not really a budget and that without a comprehensive plan, Illinois is spending more money than it has available.
This article analyzes the connection between pension debt and major tax increases among selected U.S. states and municipalities. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall notes that the percentage of state source revenue going to Illinois pensions and related debt is far in excess of well-run states and says that it will be difficult for Illinois to stabilize its finances without additional…
