09.30.19
The Civic Federation is a non-partisan government research organization working to maximize the quality and cost-effectiveness of government services in the Chicago region and State of Illinois.
Estimated Full Value of Real Property in Cook County: 2008-2017
The full market value of real estate in Cook County was approximately $585.8 billion in tax assessment year 2017. Tax year 2017 is the most recent year for which data are available. The 2017 total...
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Chicago Public Schools FY2020 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations
The Civic Federation supports the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) proposed budget for FY2020 because it demonstrates continued financial stability in the third year of Evidence-Based Funding from the...
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Financial Challenges for the Next Chicago Mayor and City Council
The Civic Federation released this report in advance of the April 2, 2019 Chicago municipal election for consideration by the public and candidates for Mayor, Treasurer, Aldermanic Office and...
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The Civic Federation
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said her administration will pursue a graduated real estate transfer tax as part o… https://t.co/gQ83bVvyGx
Blogs
10.11.19
In her “State of the City” address in August, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot stated her administration will pursue a graduated real estate transfer tax...
10.03.19
The Civic Federation recently released its annual estimate of the full value of property in Cook County . The 2017 estimated value of all Cook County real...
09.27.19
Supporters of a graduated income tax have emphasized its potential to stabilize the State of Illinois’ shaky finances and reduce pressure on local property taxes. However, like the previous income tax...
09.19.19
The City of Chicago levies taxes on both hotel operations and occupancy. The City charges a 4.5% hotel accommodations tax and a 6.0% additional home share tax on...
In the News
08.29.19
The Wall Street Journal
This article covered the City of Chicago's significant financial challenges ahead of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's State of the City address. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall said that the Mayor...
08.28.19
Reuters
This article covered the passage of the Chicago Public Schools FY2020 budget . The Civic Federation supported the budget because...
07.31.19
Crain's Chicago Business
This article covered the Civic Federation’s analysis of the City Colleges of Chicago FY2020 Tentative Budget . The Federation supported...
05.30.19
The State of Illinois has not had a major capital plan for a decade, and it is clear that capital needs are outpacing resources. While there is near universal agreement, including by the Civic...
Tweets by @CivicFederation
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said her administration will pursue a graduated real estate transfer tax as part o… https://t.co/gQ83bVvyGx
The City of Chicago Inspector General’s 2017 audit of the Aldermanic Menu Program concluded it underfunds residenti… https://t.co/ti4vkRrUtJ