The Civic Federation supports the Chicago Park District’s FY2011 proposed operating budget of $397.6 million. The District is proposing to hold the property tax levy flat and maintain expenditures at close to FY2010 levels by using operating efficiencies and personnel cuts. The District is also proposing to eliminate its $22.0 million budget deficit in part by using $12.0 million of TIF surplus…
The Civic Federation released today its analysis of the Chicago Park District’s proposed FY2011 budget of $397.6 million. The Federation supported the District’s budget, which represents an increase of only 1.5% from the previous year. The District is continuing to successfully pursue non-tax revenues, is holding the property tax levy flat for the sixth straight year and will have a…
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 new governing board for the Cook County Forest Preserve District, reinstating means-tested transit discounts for seniors, requiring large counties to hold budget…
On Monday the Civic Federation released the Cook County Modernization Report, which provided leaders of Cook County with ideas for improving and reshaping county government. Cook County government provides three major public services: a comprehensive public health system; a judicial system including law enforcement and the State’s Attorney’s Office; and tax administration and official records…
The Civic Federation supports the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) proposed FY2011 budget of $1.3 billion but has significant concerns for the agency in the longer term. The budget is a 5.2% or $66.7 million increase from the adopted FY2010 budget of $1.2 billion. The proposed FY2011 budget maintains the current level of transit service for the Chicagoland area. However, it is…
The Civic Federation supports the DuPage County FY2011 proposed operating budget of $459.4 million. The County is reducing operating expenditures for the second year in a row while pledging to maintain the existing level of service and keep the property tax levy at roughly the same level as last year. Going forward the County needs to plan for a continued decline in economically sensitive…
The purpose of the Cook County Modernization Report is to provide leaders of the County with ideas for reshaping and refining County government that will improve service delivery to residents while reducing wasteful spending and decreasing reliance on taxpayer funds. The Modernization Project provides a roadmap for creating a government that is more efficient, less costly and more accountable.…
Over the past two weeks the Civic Federation blogged here and here about the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s reaction to its estimated $24 million budget deficit. Specifically, we outlined Executive Director Richard Lanyon’s proposals to reduce this deficit, in part, by making changes to employee and retiree health benefits. Mr. Lanyon presented his cost-cutting plan to the…
Last week the Civic Federation blogged about the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s reaction to its estimated $24 million budget deficit. Specifically, we outlined Executive Director Richard Lanyon’s proposals to reduce this deficit, in part, by making changes to employee and retiree health benefits. Mr. Lanyon presented his cost-cutting plan to the Board and public at an August…
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District recently announced that it is facing a $24 million budget deficit for FY2011. After hearing a report of the FY2011 budget and the grim financial projection at a study session meeting held on July 8, 2010, MWRD Commissioners requested a list of possible cost-cutting measures. MWRD Executive Director Richard Lanyon provided a preliminary…
