Civic Federation Blog Archive: May 2012

05.30.12

Current Ratio in Large Cities

This blog continues the Civic Federation’s examination of indicators that can be used to assess the financial health of local governments. The Federation is working on a project comparing the City of Chicago with a group of thirteen large U.S. cities that have also been the subject of...

05.23.12

Civic Federation Urges Governor to Sign Legislation to Require Timely County Financial Reporting

UPDATE: On Thursday, August 2, 2012, Governor Quinn signed legislation to require all counties to release their financial statements within six months of the end of their fiscal year as Public Act 097-0890. The legislation takes effect upon becoming law.

05.17.12

Chicago Public Schools Releases Capital Improvement Plan

On May 2, 2012, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released a capital budget via a new interactive website. The proposed capital improvement plan (CIP) includes a FY2013 capital budget and a five-year capital plan for FY2013-FY2017. In addition, the plan describes CPS’ 165 ongoing capital projects...

05.10.12

Mayor Emanuel Proposes Significant Pension Reform

On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, Mayor Rahm Emanuel offered a plan to reform pensions for employees of the City of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Park District during a hearing of the Illinois House of Representatives Personnel and Pensions Committee. The Civic Federation is encouraged by...

05.09.12

National Recognition for Civic Federation Research

Last week, the Governmental Research Association announced the winners of their annual awards and it was a clean sweep for the Civic Federation. The Governmental Research Association (GRA) is the national organization of individuals professionally engaged in governmental research. The Federation...

05.02.12

$520 Million Capital Plan for the City Colleges of Chicago

On December 12, 2011, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the College to Careers initiative for the City Colleges of Chicago. The new initiative addresses the need to fill an estimated approximately 100,000 jobs that are expected to be available in Chicago between now and 2020.[1] College to Careers...

05.01.12

OpEd: Mayor Emanuel Showing Progress in Stabilizing City Finances

The following opinion piece by Civic Federation President Laurence Msall appeared in the May 1, 2012 edition of Crain’s Chicago Business.