Civic Federation In the News
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Cook County Sales Tax Hike Kicks In
Source: WBBM Newsradio780
Date: July 1, 2008
Page: Online edition
In this news segment, the Civic Federation calls on the Cook County Board to rescind the 1% sales tax hike it imposed because it was unnecessary to balance the County's budget.
Watchdog group calls to dissolve Port District
Source: Crain's Chicago Business
Date: June 30, 2008
Page: Online edition
This article examines the Civic Federation's report on the Illinois International Port District. It highlights the report's conclusion that the District should be disbanded because of its focus on golf and serious lack of transparency.
Port District accused of focusing on golf
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Date: June 30, 2008
Page: 12
This article summarizes the Civic Federation's study of the Illinois International Port District, focusing on the Federation's case for the dissolution of the District.
Group calling for port district to be abolished
Source: Daily Herald
Date: June 30, 2008
Page: Online edition
This article about the Civic Federation's report calling for the dissolution of the Illinois International Port District reviews the Federation's arguments why the Port District is failing at its mission.
Just veto the thing
Source: Chicago Tribune
Date: June 25, 2008
Page: Section 1, Page 20
In this editorial, the Tribune explores Governor Blagojevich's options to move forward with the FY2009 budget process. It cites Civic Federation data and quotes the Federation's position on the Governor's plan to issue another pension obligation bond.
Is there a way out of the pension obligation?
Source: Ottawa Daily Times
Date: June 23, 2008
Page: Online edition
This article discusses different ways the State of Illinois could reduce the cost of the pension benefits it owes its current and retired workers and cites a Civic Federation report on the State's pension obligations.
Stroger to Speak in Palatine About Sales Tax Hike
Source: CBS2Chicago
Date: June 15, 2008
Page: Online edition
This article describes Suburban Cook County residents' responses to the 1% sales tax increase imposed by Cook County that will go into effect in July. The Civic Federation said the tax increase would raise the City of Chicago's sales taxes to the highest level of any major city in the country.
AFSCME, state talks getting contentious
Source: State Journal-Register
Date: June 8, 2008
Page: Online edition
In this article about negotiations between the State of Illinois and its union employees, the Civic Federation notes that the employee healthcare benefits state employees and retirees receive are more generous than those available in other states.
Bullying Blagojevich might bite Madigan in the end: Hinz
Source: Crain's Chicago Business
Date: June 4, 2008
Page: Online edition
This column about the relationship between Illinois House Speaker Madigan and Governor Blagojevich cites the Civic Federation's estimate of the size of the deficit attached to the budget the General Assembly approved at the end of May.
New property tax hike?
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Date: June 3, 2008
Page: 15
In this article exploring why Chicago Public Schools has warned that it will raise property taxes if it does not receive increased funding from the State of Illinois, the Civic Federation urged the school board to reduce spending and eliminate inefficiency and duplication instead of raising taxes.
Illinois budget imbroglio
Source: The Bond Buyer
Date: June 3, 2008
Page: Online edition
This article about meetings between Governor Blagojevich and legislative leaders to discuss the state's budget for 2009 quotes the Civic Federation. The Federation stated that it is the General Assembly's responsibility to pass a balanced budget.
Cal City pays off three bonds
Source: The Times of Northwest Indiana
Date: June 3, 2008
Page: Online edition
In this article about Calumet City reducing its bond-related property taxes, the Civic Federation says that municipalities should be looking for ways to reduce their debt and dependence on property taxes.
Hannig: Budget can be managed
Source: State Journal-Register
Date: June 2, 2008
Page: Online edition
In this article reporting the controversy surrounding whether the budget submitted by the Illinois General Assembly to the Governor was balanced, the Civic Federation notes that the legislature knowingly submitting an unbalanced budget is rare.
Gov: Budget about $2 billion 'out of whack'
Source: ABC7Chicago
Date: June 2, 2008
Page: Online edition
This evening news segment about the budget the Illinois General Assembly submitted to Governor Blagojevich includes Civic Federation President Laurence Msall's commentary that state taxpayers will not accept another tax increase to balance the state budget.
Guv bats budget ball back to lawmakers
Source: Crain's Chicago Business
Date: June 2, 2008
Page: Online edition
In this article about Governor Blagojevich's charge that the FY2009 Illinois budget submitted to him by the General Assembly was out of balance, the Civic Federation notes that the budget shortfall is at least $1.5 billion and may be more than $2 billion.
One plan to fix state's money mess: Get workers to give back
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Date: June 2, 2008
Page: 6
This article reviews the reasoning behind a letter sent by civic and business groups, including the Civic Federation, to Governor Blagojevich to encourage the State of Illinois to negotiate reduced healthcare and pension benefits with its unions. The Civic Federation is quoted urging state lawmakers to enact reforms for state employees similar to those it required the Chicago Transit Authority to make.
Chicago executives: Take care of old business, first
Source: Illinois Issues
Date: June 1, 2008
Page: 12
This article features Civic Federation commentary on Governor Blagojevich's proposed FY2009 Illinois budget. The Federation says the governor and General Assembly have not made enough of an effort to reform the state's pension and health care systems to reduce their liabilities. The Federation insists that state legislators and the residents of Illinois deserve to see a comprehensive capital improvement plan before any capital spending plan is approved.
CPS leaders appeal to Springfield for funding
Source: ABC7Chicago
Date: May 28, 2008
Page: Online edition
Civic Federation President Laurence Msall appears in this evening news segment about the possibility of Chicago Public Schools raising property taxes if it doesn't receive increased funding from the State of Illinois. Msall said that so many tax increases at once in the Chicago area makes things difficult for taxpayers and affects how businesses make decisions.
Truth in Politics: Illinois Gas Prices and Taxes
Source: CBS2Chicago
Date: May 21, 2008
Page: Online edition
This evening news segment cites Civic Federation data describing how much of the price of a gallon of gas in the Chicago area is attributable to taxes.
State Owes Millions In Backlogged Medicaid Bills
Source: CBS2Chicago
Date: May 15, 2008
Page: Online edition
This evening news segment about the State of Illinois' unpaid Medicaid bills features Civic Federation President Laurence Msall. Msall emphasized that the state cannot continue to spend on new or expanded programs when it is not paying its existing bills.
Board thwarts Stroger nominees
Source: Chicago Tribune
Date: May 14, 2008
Page: Section 2, Page 3
In this article describing why Cook County Commissioners rejected some of President Todd Stroger's nominees to the new and independent health bureau governing board, the Civic Federation's criticism of some of the nominees' experience and independence is cited.
Illinois Budget Problems
Source: The Bond Buyer
Date: May 13, 2008
Page: Online edition
This article provides a detailed summary of the Civic Federation's positions on different aspects of Governor Blagojevich's proposed FY2009 Illinois budget.
State Budget Qualms
Source: Eight Forty-Eight
Date: May 12, 2008
Page: Online edition
Civic Federation President Laurence Msall appeared in this segment on Chicago Public Radio's "Eight Forty-Eight" magazine to discuss the Federation's position on the proposed FY2009 State of Illinois Budget.
Governor's budget taken to task
Source: Chicago Tribune
Date: May 12, 2008
Page: Section 2, Page 3
This article about the Civic Federation's analysis of the proposed FY2009 Illinois State budget underscores the report's conclusion that the state faces a fiscal crisis. The Federation opposes the governor's budget because it does not do enough to combat the state's financial issues.
Watchdog barks at governor, assembly
Source: The State Journal-Register
Date: May 12, 2008
Page: 1
This article summarizes the conclusions of the Civic Federation's analysis of Governor Blagojevich's proposed FY2009 State of Illinois budget.
State can't afford gov's $300 child tax credit, group says
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Date: May 12, 2008
Page: Page 5
This article about the Civic Federation's analysis of the governor's proposed FY2009 State of Illinois budget emphasizes the Federation's position that the state cannot afford the $1.9 billion in new and expanded initiatives contained in the budget.
Watchdog flips on tax hike, mistrusts state with new cash
Source: Crain's Chicago Business
Date: May 12, 2008
Page: Online edition
This article highlights the Civic Federation's withdrawal of its support for an Illinois income tax increase, which was announced in the Federation's recently-released report on Governor Blagojevich's proposed state budget. The report noted that a lack of commitment to meaningful reform on the part of the General Assembly and governor has led the Federation to question that any new revenues would be spent effectively.
Ex-hospital chief back as consultant
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
Date: May 9, 2008
Page: Online edition
In this article about a press conference Cook County Board President Todd Stroger held to introduce his choices for the new independent county health board, the Civic Federation noted its concern about the independence and health care experience of some of the choices.
Group criticizes Stroger's choices for hospital panel
Source: Chicago Tribune
Date: May 9, 2008
Page: Online edition
This article describes the concerns held by civic groups, including the Civic Federation, about certain of Cook County President Todd Stroger's nine nominees to the new independent county health bureau board of directors.