Issues: Privatization

The Civic Federation has traditionally supported alternative service delivery or privatization of non-core assets as an effective means of reducing costs and/or improving efficiency, provided there are adequate safeguards. In our view, competition from private, nonprofit, and even other public entities can help reduce the cost and operational inefficiencies of government services. Read The Civic Federation’s analyses, opinions, and commentary from the Federation’s work on privatization and alternative service delivery here.

Recent Research

  • 12.01.11

    Forest Preserve District of Cook County FY2012 Executive Budget Recommendation: Analysis and Recommendations

    The Civic Federation supports the Forest Preserve District of Cook County FY2012 Executive Budget Recommendation totaling $195.0 million, which includes both operating and capital expenditures. We commend the District for holding its property tax levy flat during a period of continued financial hardship for many Cook County residents and for taking steps toward more effective personnel management starting with a comprehensive desk audit. The District has also shown prudence by maintaining substantial reserves.

    Click here to read the press release.

  • 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.