Civic Federation Blog Archive: May 2011

05.31.11

Gun Club Vote Illustrates FPDCC Board Conflict

UPDATE: The proposal to allow the Blue Park Gun Club the use of Forest Preserve District property for its operations was withdrawn, after significant urging from the Friends of the Forest Preserve. Cook County Commissioner Joan Murphy, one of the sponsors of the resolution, withdrew the proposal...

05.25.11

Fund Balance Policies of Chicago Area Governments

As explained previously in this blog a key indicator the Civic Federation uses to assess the financial health of local governments is the level of unreserved general fund balance maintained.

05.16.11

Chicago Park District Pension Fund Expected to Run Out of Money in 14 Years

An actuarial projection of the future solvency of the Chicago Park District’s pension fund has estimated that the fund will exhaust its assets in the year 2025.[1] The projection takes into account the reduced pensions for employees hired on or after January 1, 2011 pursuant to Public Act 96-...

05.10.11

Cook County’s Request to Close Oak Forest Hospital Rejected by State Board

A key component of Cook County’s plan to remake its public health system was rejected by a State of Illinois board on May 10, 2011, adding to concerns that the County might have difficulties implementing its FY2011 budget. At a meeting in Joliet, the Illinois Health Facilities and Services...

05.05.11

Profiling Chicago’s Debt Load and Trends

Among the many challenges facing City of Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel when he takes office May 16 is the precarious state of the City’s finances. The City has a large and increasing direct debt load that could be a major indicator of financial risk. Long-term debt consists of tax-...