Position Statements
There are currently 31 position statements available, beginning with the most recent.
Civic Federation Supports Cook County Classification Ordinance Reduction to 10% and 25%
Abstract: The Civic Federation supports the proposal to amend the Cook County Classification Ordinance in order to change the levels of assessment to 10% for residential, vacant, and apartment properties, and 25% for commercial, industrial, and non-profit properties. The Federation believes this will bring greater transparency to the property tax system but have little or no effect on actual assessments.
Publication Date: September 16, 2008
Full PDF File:
civicfed_278.pdf (100 KB)
Civic Federation 2008 Legislative Priorities
Abstract: The Civic Federation's legislative priorities for 2008 include public pension reform, tax increment financing disclosure, creation of a separate board of commissioners for the Cook County Forest Preserve District, school financial management accountability reforms, property tax assessment appeal reforms, timely county audits, and retiree health care trust fund authorization.
Publication Date: February 11, 2008
Full PDF File:
civicfed_267.pdf (132 KB)
Cook County Bureau of Health Services Independent Board of Directors
Abstract: The Civic Federation supports the work of the Cook County Bureau of Health Services Review Committee and the Task Force on Independent Governance of the Cook County Bureau of Health on establishing an independent governing board for the Cook County Bureau of Health Services. The Federation offers a number of specific recommendations regarding the role and responsibilities of an independent board.
Publication Date: December 11, 2007
Full PDF File:
civicfed_264.pdf (92 KB)
Tax Increment Financing (TIF): A Civic Federation Position Statement
Abstract: The Civic Federation supports Tax Increment Financing as an economic development tool but recommends that there be much greater transparency in the quantity and quality of TIF information provided to the public. The Federation recommends including full financial information about TIF in all municipal budgets, making TIF information easily accessible on the internet, and undertaking a comprehensive review of each TIF district every ten years. This position statement is a companion piece to the Civic Federation Issue Brief on TIF.
Publication Date: November 12, 2007
Full PDF File:
civicfed_261.pdf (176 KB)
Civic Federation 2007 Legislative Priorities
Abstract: The Civic Federation's legislative priorities for 2007 include public pension reform, property tax exemptions and assessment reform, revision of the Regional Transportation Authority Act, tax increment financing disclosure, timely county audits, and other post employment benefit trust fund authorization.
Publication Date: February 9, 2007
Full PDF File:
civicfed_239.pdf (104 KB)
Alternative General Homestead Exemption Extension
Abstract: Based on data from its new, comprehensive analysis of the "7 percent cap", the Civic Federation maintains its support for extending the property tax exemption through tax years 2006-2008 at its current maximum exemption level of twenty thousand dollars in taxable value. The Federation cautions, however, that it is a stop-gap measure and not a substitute for comprehensive property tax reform.
Publication Date: November 27, 2006
Full PDF File:
civicfed_225.pdf (123 KB)