Civic Federation Blog Archive: August 2010

08.25.10

Future Effects of P.A. 96-0889 on CPS Pension System

On Monday the Civic Federation released its analysis of the Chicago Public Schools FY2011 proposed budget. The Federation supported the $6.5 billion spending plan because it offered a short-term solution to the District’s difficult, deepening financial crisis. This budget will allow schools...

08.24.10

Letter to the Editor of the Chicago Tribune

The following letter to the editor of the Chicago Tribune from Civic Federation President Laurence Msall was published on August 24, 2010.

08.18.10

City Colleges Tuition Costs Still Competitive

On August 5, the Civic Federation released its analysis of the FY2011 City Colleges Tentative Annual Operating budget. The Federation supports the District’s $581.9 million plan because it reduces its property tax levy while pursuing a reorganization plan that will centralize more...

08.12.10

Cook County Taking Action to Improve Transparency

At a Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting, held on June 15, 2010, Cook County Commissioner Joseph Moreno called on County staff members to explain a series of errors in the meeting’s agenda, noting a lengthy list of deletions, insertions and corrections to what should have been the...

08.04.10

New TIF Transparency Reforms Enacted

A tax increment financing (TIF) transparency bill (Public Act 096-1335) passed by the Illinois legislature in May and signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn on July 27 includes a number of long-standing Civic Federation recommendations detailed in the Federation’s 2007 TIF report:

08.04.10

Motorola Foundation Excellence in Public Service Award

The Civic Federation recently announced a call for nominations for the 19th Annual Motorola Foundation Excellence in Public Service Award. The Excellence in Public Service Award recognizes a non-elected government employee who has made an extraordinary impact on the quality of government...