Issues: Legislative Agenda

The Civic Federation has influenced legislation throughout Illinois by partnering with governmental agencies, government officials, and municipalities. Annually-issued legislative agendas list priorities and recommendations for the year, giving the public and government officials an outline of the Federation’s plans. Please read about our current and past legislative priorities, as well as our accomplishments in guiding legislative bills through to law, 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.

  • 06.30.11

    Recommendations for a Financially Sustainable City of Chicago

    The purpose of this report is to provide the City of Chicago’s Mayor and City Council with detailed recommendations on ways to address the City’s serious financial challenges and create a government that is more efficient, less costly and more accountable. On February 14, 2011, the Civic Federation released Financial Challenges for the New Mayor which identifies the most significant fiscal issues facing the City of Chicago. Recommendations for a Financially Sustainable City of Chicago expands on the previous report with specific recommendations for various functions of City government.

  • 10.25.10

    Cook County Modernization Report

    The purpose of the Cook County Modernization Report is to provide leaders of the County with ideas for reshaping and refining County government that will improve service delivery to residents while reducing wasteful spending and decreasing reliance on taxpayer funds. The Modernization Project provides a roadmap for creating a government that is more efficient, less costly and more accountable.