Taxes and Fees

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Effects of the "7% Cap" on Property Tax Paid in Cook County: 2002-2008, Including the Projected Effects of Eliminating, Renewing, or Expanding the Homeowner Exemption for 2006-2008

This comprehensive property tax study examines the effects of the "7% cap" (expanded homeowner exemption) on property tax throughout Cook County from 2002-2005, and projected 2006-2008. The report breaks out more categories of property and…

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Civic Federation 2007 Legislative Priorities

The Civic Federation's legislative priorities for 2007 include public pension reform, property tax exemptions and assessment reform, revision of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, tax increment financing disclosure, timely county…

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Cook County FY2007 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation offers qualified support for Cook County’s FY2007 Budget based on the County’s plan to meet its 502 million dollar budget deficit with substantial spending cuts rather than tax increases. The Civic Federation opposes,…

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District FY2007 Tentative Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supported the MWRD's FY2007 Budget because it minimizes the burden on taxpayers and implements sound financial planning techniques. Notably, the MWRD has adopted a policy establishing an irrevocable trust for funding…

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Chicago Park District FY2007 Operating Budget Recommendations: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supported the Chicago Park District's FY2007 Budget because the District did not raise its property tax levy this year, and has held down operating costs through a combination of careful management practices,…

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Alternative General Homestead Exemption Extension

Based on data from its new, comprehensive analysis of the "7 percent cap", the Civic Federation maintains its support for extending the property tax exemption through tax years 2006-2008 at its current maximum exemption level of twenty…

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DuPage County FY2007 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports DuPage County's FY2007 budget because the County has reduced spending by over twenty-five percent since 2003, and has focused on cost reduction before seeking revenue increases. The Civic Federation cautions…

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Chicago Transit Authority FY2007 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation opposes the CTA's FY2007 budget because it relies on 110 million dollars in additional state support which has not been guaranteed, and provides no detailed contingency plan. The Federation recommends that the CTA…

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County FY2007 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the Forest Preserve District's proposed 164.5 million budget because the District has made important steps toward professionalization of its operations, including the issuance of a Capital Improvement Plan.…

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City of Chicago FY2007 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the City of Chicago's proposed $5.7 billion budget but has serious concerns about the poor health of the City's pension funds and the low level of reserve funds for contingencies.