Government Efficiency and Transparency

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City Colleges of Chicago FY2008 Tentative Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the City Colleges of Chicago's tentative $473.6 million FY2008 budget because the district will reduce its overall property tax burden, exercize fiscal restraint, and has increased the amount of time allowed…

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State of Illinois FY2008 Recommended Operating Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation opposes the massive expansion of health care and long-term borrowing proposed in the FY2008 State budget recommendation, but offers qualified support for sale/lease of the State lottery and for reasonable revenue…

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Strengthening the Financial Accountability of Illinois School Districts: A Report of the Education Reform Committee of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus

This report compares Illinois school districts' financial management and accountability standards with nationwide best practices, and makes policy recommendations regarding steps Illinois should take to ensure greater financial…

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Cook County FY2007 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation offers qualified support for Cook County’s FY2007 Budget based on the County’s plan to meet its 502 million dollar budget deficit with substantial spending cuts rather than tax increases. The Civic Federation opposes,…

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District FY2007 Tentative Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supported the MWRD's FY2007 Budget because it minimizes the burden on taxpayers and implements sound financial planning techniques. Notably, the MWRD has adopted a policy establishing an irrevocable trust for funding…

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Chicago Park District FY2007 Operating Budget Recommendations: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supported the Chicago Park District's FY2007 Budget because the District did not raise its property tax levy this year, and has held down operating costs through a combination of careful management practices,…

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Alternative Service Delivery: A Civic Federation Issue Brief

This issue brief describes various forms of privatization available to the public sector, including asset sales, contracting out of management, corporatization, internal markets, intergovernmental contracts, managed competition, and…

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DuPage County FY2007 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports DuPage County's FY2007 budget because the County has reduced spending by over twenty-five percent since 2003, and has focused on cost reduction before seeking revenue increases. The Civic Federation cautions…

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Chicago Transit Authority FY2007 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation opposes the CTA's FY2007 budget because it relies on 110 million dollars in additional state support which has not been guaranteed, and provides no detailed contingency plan. The Federation recommends that the CTA…

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County FY2007 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the Forest Preserve District's proposed 164.5 million budget because the District has made important steps toward professionalization of its operations, including the issuance of a Capital Improvement Plan.…