This article reports on Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger addressing the budget impasse by delaying paychecks to lawmakers until the stalemate is resolved. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall remarks that the Comptroller’s plan…
This article examines the amount of borrowing and tax increases necessary for the City to construct the George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, notes that it would be difficult to prioritize…
This article discusses an announcement by Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger that lawmakers’ paychecks will be delayed as a result of the ongoing budget impasse. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall notes that not having an FY2016…
This article discusses a recent state budget forum featuring a panel of eight Illinois lawmakers providing their respective insights on Illinois’ current financial crisis. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall co-moderated the…
This segment examines how the State of Illinois has been spending billions of dollars in revenue even in the absence of an FY2016 budget. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, notes that the impasse creates tremendous burdens…
Due to its growing backlog of overdue group health insurance bills, the State of Illinois is expected to pay a total of at least $454 million in interest penalties in the current and upcoming budget years, according to a…
This article examines the nearly billion dollars of interest the State of Illinois has paid in penalties over the last several years because of its continually late bill payments. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall notes that these…
As the State of Illinois’ budget impasse continues to drag on, it is commonly overlooked that the underlying economy and tax base in the State continue to grow. In FY2017 the State of Illinois is projected to have an additional $631…
This article discusses the recent Illinois Supreme Court decision to uphold a Circuit Court ruling that reforms for two of Chicago’s pension funds are unconstitutional. The Civic Federation says the ruling limits financial…