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Civic Federation Blog Archive: December 2009
12.22.09
Civic Federation Blog Provides Rapid Response Analysis
The redesign of the Civic Federation website in July has provided the public, government officials, and the media better access to the Federation’s analyses of government services in Illinois.
12.16.09
How Much Fund Balance is Too Much? Not Enough? Just Right?
All governments - whether states, cities or school districts - should place a portion of their general operating revenues in a general fund reserve or “rainy day” fund. These rainy day funds are savings accounts that governments can use to address revenue shortfalls or unanticipated...
12.09.09
MWRD Proposes Pension Reform Task Force
As noted on page 9 of its FY2010 Tentative Budget, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago will begin to address concerns over its increasing pension liabilities. The District is proposing to create a task force to study pensions and possibly commission a report that would...
12.04.09
Fitch Ratings Supports Separate Governing Board for Cook County Forest Preserve District
In September Fitch Ratings announced an upgrade of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County’s outstanding unlimited tax general obligation bonds totaling $115 million to ‘AA-’ from ‘A+.’ However, Fitch noted that the District is vulnerable to decisions made by its...
12.03.09
Responsible Spending Keeps Park Costs Low
The Chicago Park District recently proposed its FY2010 operating budget, totaling $391.9 million. The District is decreasing its operating expenditures by 0.3% from the FY2009 budget, which is one of the reasons the Federation offered its qualified support of the District’s FY2010 budget.
12.02.09
Civic Federation Supports Cook County Sales Tax Rollback
The Civic Federation commends the Cook County Board for voting 12-5 to roll back half of last year’s one percentage point sales tax hike and for overriding President Todd Stroger’s veto. The Federation considers this a victory for overburdened County taxpayers and for the County...