Issues: Civic Federation Initiatives

From leading the charge to reform public employee pensions in Illinois to calling for the dissolution of unnecessary government agencies, The Civic Federation has had a major hand in reforming government across Illinois. Over the years, The Civic Federation has also partnered with other organizations to launch reform initiatives. Read about these campaigns, along with additional commentary, here.

Recent Research

  • 11.11.11

    Civic Federation 2012 Legislative Priorities

    The Civic Federation's legislative priorities for 2012 include public pension reform, requiring the State of Illinois to develop and implement a capital improvement plan, dissolving the Illinois International Port District, creating a new governing board for the Cook County Forest Preserve District, requiring all counties to hold budget hearings and large counties to produce timely annual audits, enacting tax increment financing reporting reform, requiring school financial management accountability reforms and authorizing state and local government entities to establish trust funds for the advance funding of retiree health care.

  • 10.21.11

    DuPage County Proposed FY2012 Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

    The Civic Federation supports the DuPage County Proposed FY2012 Financial Plan of $434.7 million. The County is reducing expenditures for the third year in a row while pledging to maintain the existing level of service and keep the property tax levy at the same level as last year.

    In order to properly plan for the most efficient and effective use of taxpayer resources in this uncertain economic climate, the Civic Federation recommends that DuPage County fully adopt the planning policies enumerated in our budget analyses over the past several years.

  • 10.04.11

    A Financial Analysis of the Chicago Charter Schools: A Financial Indicator Analysis and Primer

    This 170-page report is a comprehensive examination of Chicago charter school finances and financial performance in fiscal years 2007 and 2008. The primary purpose is to provide a first-ever financial analysis of Chicago’s charter schools. In addition, the report is a primer on charter schools, providing an overview of national charter school research, an outline of charter school funding models, a review of the legislative history of charter schools in Illinois and information about the funding of Illinois and Chicago charter schools. The report specifically: