Press Room
The press room houses Civic Federation press releases and public statements. You can find our recent media coverage here: Civic Federation In the News. You can also sign up for our RSS feeds to stay informed about all of the Civic Federation’s non-partisan research, information and action.
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Ahead of Pivotal Budget Season, Civic Federation Releases Reports on Chicago Public Schools Financial Forecast
As Chicago Public Schools (CPS or the 'District') heads into a pivotal budget season under new leadership - and with a newly finalized, cost-increasing contract with the Chicago Teachers Union - the Civic Federation is releasing a series of educational reports on what's at stake for CPS in FY2026 and beyond.
Civic Federation Recommends Dissolving Cook County Mosquito Abatement Districts
CHICAGO - Illinois is home to nearly 9,000 local governments-more than any other state. This sprawling, and at times overlapping, patchwork of governance jurisdictions has long fueled redundancies and inefficiencies, resulting in transparency and accountability deficits. In stark contrast, many other states deliver vital public services through far leaner government structures. A prime example of this inefficiency is found in the four Cook County Mosquito Abatement Districts.
Diverse Coalition Encourages Action on Sales Tax Modernization to Strengthen Illinois' Fiscal Future
A coalition of Illinois policy and civic leaders released Modernizing Illinois' Sales Tax: A Pathway to a Sustainable Future, which outlines the potential impacts of updating the state's sales tax system. The report - coauthored by organizations that represent a broad range of government and tax policy viewpoints - details how specific reforms could apply sales tax to more consumer services, address revenue shortfalls, and ensure sustainable funding for essential public services like public transit and education. The report concludes that reform could generate nearly $2 billion annually in new state revenue and provide much-needed financial stability for Illinois communities.
Civic Federation Urges Illinois Lawmakers to Begin Modernizing Illinois' Tax Structure and Budgeting Process to Solve the State's Significant Financial Challenges
CHICAGO - Today, the Civic Federation released a comprehensive report calling for Illinois legislators and Governor Pritzker's administration to begin work on modernizing Illinois' tax structure and improving its budgeting process. This report follows a Civic Federation issue brief outlining the State of Illinois' economic challenges: Illinois Economic Landscape and Fiscal Structure. Together, these reports provide data and evidence of the economic and structural tax challenges that hinder Illinois' economic and revenue growth. The report released today also offers a series of long-term recommendations to guide lawmakers in moving the State toward fiscal sustainability.
Civic Federation Clarifies the Reality of Chicago Public Schools' General Fund Balance
Despite what it may look like on paper, CPS does not have a "rainy day" fund of reserves to draw on and must look for other ways to pay for any increased expenses associated with a new CTU contract.
Civic Federation Analyzes Chicago Public Schools' Troubling Financial Landscape and Offers Board of Education Multiple Paths Forward
CHICAGO - The Chicago Public School District (CPS) faces a critical financial juncture, as outlined in a Civic Federation report released today. The newly expanded 21-member, hybrid elected Board of Education (the "Board") faces a confluence of financial challenges immediately upon taking office on January 15, 2025, as evidenced by discouraging trends that jeopardize the District's ability to provide quality education necessary to prepare Chicago students for success. By laying out a comprehensive picture of the District's financial landscape as well as offering solutions to improve CPS's financial standing, the Civic Federation hopes to support the new Board in the monumental task ahead. This report also serves to provide information and understanding to stakeholders that include elected and appointed government officials, education policy advocates, parents, and the general public. The full report is available here: civicfed.org/FinancialLandscapeCPSFY2025.
Civic Federation, Better Government Association, and Center for Tax and Budget Accountability Statement on Budget Transparency Ordinance
Chicago's city council is set to vote on a package of ordinances setting the municipal budget for 2025. A late start, the mayor's failure to provide detailed information requested by alderpeople, and a unanimous city council rejection of the mayor's initial proposed tax levy all highlight the need for change in Chicago's budget process.
Civic Federation Releases Reports on Cook County, City of Chicago, and the State of Illinois' Finances
CHICAGO - The Civic Federation released six reports in October and November, covering an array of local government finance and tax topics, including the estimated full market value of real estate in Cook County, Cook County's pension fund, effective property tax rates, the City of Chicago debt burden, and the State of Illinois' FY2025 capital budget, among others.
Cook County Proposes Responsible $9.89 Billion FY2025 Budget With No Tax or Fee Increases
CHICAGO - In a report released today, the Civic Federation shared the findings of its analysis of Cook County's proposed FY2025 budget of $9.89 billion, noting the continuation of prudent financial practices that has resulted in the Preckwinkle administration proposing a responsibly structured FY2025 budget without burdening residents with tax and fee increases. The County is benefitting from higher-than-expected natural revenue growth and lower-than-expected healthcare and payroll costs, both of which helped close a General Fund gap forecast at $218.2 million. The Federation's full analysis is available at civicfed.org/CookCountyFY2025.
Civic Federation Report Details Key Fiscal Challenges and Path Forward for City of Chicago in FY2025
CHICAGO - The Civic Federation today released a report framing stark financial realities and opportunities City of Chicago officials must navigate as they work to build and approve the City's FY2025 budget this fall. Estimates place the government at a nearly billion-dollar shortfall, with some City agencies facing their own worsening fiscal cliffs that will become dire by FY2026. The Civic Federation offers analysis and recommendations it hopes will elevate public understanding and support City officials through the difficult decision-making process that lies ahead. The full report is available here: civicfed.org/ChicagoFY2025Roadmap