Amid ongoing State-funding uncertainty, County implements prudent measures (CHICAGO) In a report released today, the Civic Federation announced its support for Cook County’s proposed FY2017 budget of $4.4 billion because it is reasonable, including expenditure reductions and revenue measures that will balance the County’s budgets through FY2019. The full 95-page report is available here.…
The Civic Federation supports Cook County’s proposed FY2017 budget of $4.4 billion because it is reasonable, including expenditure reductions and revenue measures that will balance the County’s budgets through FY2019. The FY2017 budget includes a number of initiatives to close a preliminary deficit of $174.3 million. The full report also discusses Federation support for the realignment of staff…
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…
Following Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s FY2017 budget address, Civic Federation President Laurence Msall spoke with a pool of reporters about the finances of both the City of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools. He called the Mayor’s proposed budget “good news” for the City but cautioned that Chicago is not out of the woods yet. Msall also called for more details on how the recently signed teachers’…
This article reports on a tentative contract deal reached between the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall notes that CPS should not rely on TIF surplus funds, because they are not enough to close the deficit that Chicago Public Schools faces, among other reasons.
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 discusses how recent changes to expected rates of return and other factors for several of the State of Illinois’ pension funds are increasing pressure on the State to address reforms. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall notes that Illinois needs to explore all of its options, including a constitutional amendment that would clarify that the State’s pension protection clause…
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…
