This article discusses Chicago Public School’s ongoing financial and pension issues. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, attributes the school district’s financial difficulties in part to the absence of a balanced State…
This article discusses a proposal to change the City of Chicago’s investment restrictions. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall notes that the purpose of the treasurer’s office is to protect the cash reserves of the City, not to…
This article discusses a recent Chicago conference that featured expert panelists who discussed solutions to the City’s biggest challenges. As a panelist, Civic Federation President Laurence Msall gave his insight on the City of Chicago’s…
This article discusses the high interest rate that the City of Chicago recently paid for $220 million in short-term funding. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall calls the interest costs an unfortunate and avoidable expense, noting…
In advance of a $550 million bond sale this week, the State of Illinois announced it had negotiated new terms with the largest holder of Illinois swaps. The new lower level for termination of the swaps based on Illinois’ credit ratings…
This article reports on the City of Chicago’s record property tax increase and how it will affect City homeowners this year. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic federation, notes that with Chicago’s historic underfunding of pensions,…
This article discusses the downgrades to the State of Illinois’ already low credit rating. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall remarks that these downgrades will result in tens of millions of dollars in unnecessary borrowing costs…
The Illinois General Assembly ended its regular spring session on May 31, 2016 without passing a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The legislature now has less than one month to complete a budget for the year that begins on July 1, and…
This article reports on a City of Chicago plan to create a property tax rebate to lower the tax burden to City homeowners. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, says it’s difficult to see how Chicago can afford a property tax…
One year after passing the Illinois General Assembly, a bill that puts the City of Chicago’s Police and Fire pension funds on a 40-year plan to reach 90% funding…
