About Us
The Civic Federation provides objective, non-partisan information and advocates for improvements in government efficiency and tax policy through research, information and action.
RESEARCH
The Civic Federation is continually engaged in writing long-term, in-depth research reports. These widely respected and influential projects cover the full range of public finance issues, from property taxes to the privatization of government services. Recent publications include: Tax Increment Financing (TIF): A Civic Federation Issue Brief, The Financial Impact of Charter Schools on Illinois School Districts: A Primer and Three Case Studies, State of Illinois Employee Health Insurance Plans: Analysis and Recommendations for Cost Containment, and The Effects of the "7% Cap" on Property Taxes Paid in Cook County: 2002-2008.
INFORMATION
In addition to long-term research projects, The Civic Federation continually monitors the finances of local governments and communicates important information and viewpoints to the community through publications, media statements and our website. Our annual budget testimonies provide extensive, non-partisan analysis and specific recommendations for the City of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, Cook County, and many other local governments. Additionally, each year statements are generated on the Status of Local Public Pensions, Estimates of the Full Value of Property, and Effective Tax Rates. Local newspapers, television and radio stations heavily rely upon the information generated by the Federation as an objective viewpoint on local government finance.
ACTION
The Civic Federation is committed to working with state and local governments to effect positive changes in their fiscal policy and management. Government leaders look to us to produce independent, reliable information about subjects that require government cooperation, such as controlling the cost of employee pension benefits. Each year, our staff works with Civic Federation members to develop policy initiatives at both the state and local levels that will protect taxpayers and reduce government waste. Recent examples include promoting the creation of a separate board of governors for the Cook County Bureau of Health and promoting legislation that will allow the Chicago Transit Authority to control the cost of its pension and retiree health benefits and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to create the first other post-employment benefits (OPEB) trust fund in Illinois.