Government Efficiency and Transparency

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District FY2004 Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation commended the MWRD for its FY2004 budget of $848.3 million because the District reduced its property tax levy by $2.7 million from the tentative FY2004 budget proposal, it drew down its Corporate Fund balance from a…

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Cook County FY2004 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation opposed the County’s $2.99 billion FY2004 budget because it does not reduce operational expenditures or implement increased efficiencies and It is balanced by means of two new and unnecessary revenue enhancements: an…

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County FY2004 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation was disappointed in the Forest Preserve District’s FY2004 operating budget of $140.8 million for several reasons. There was insufficient time--only 4 working days--permitted this year for public review of the budget…

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Chicago Park District FY2004 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supported the Chicago Park District's $351 million FY2004 budget because of the District's history of implementing management efficiencies and cost cutting measures and the progress it has made in shifting revenues…

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City of Chicago FY2004 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supported Chicago’s FY2004 budget of $4.8 billion because: 1) the City has made continued efforts to control personal services costs by reducing personnel over time; 2) The City’s net appropriation has increased an…

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Chicago Transit Authority FY2004 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supported the CTA’s FY2004 operating budget of $936 million. The fare increase in this budget was justified because: the CTA has made some significant efforts over the past five years to control costs; the budget does…

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City Colleges of Chicago FY2004 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supported the City Colleges' FY2004 budget of $295 million because growth in appropriations was contained through personnel reductions and management efficiencies. However, The Civic Federation remains concerned about…

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Chicago Public Schools FY2004 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation was disappointed that, rather than cut non-essential or redundant programs, the Chicago Public Schools FY2004 budget of $4.8 billion included a $36 million property tax increase and made only a minimal 30-position…

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State of Illinois FY2004 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supported the FY2004 $52.4 billion State budget because it successfully eliminated a $5.4 billion deficit without any broad based tax increases. The Federation reiterated its support for the pension obligation bond…

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Chicago Park District FY2003 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supported the Chicago Park District’s $338 million FY2003 budget because the budget was balanced by eliminating over 180 positions and reducing contractual service expenses rather than resorting to broad based tax…