The Civic Federation's legislative priorities for 2011 include public pension reform, requiring state government to develop and implement a capital improvement plan, the dissolving of the Illinois International Port District, creating a…
When the General Assembly reconvenes next week for its annual veto session, it is expected to continue deliberating whether to borrow in FY2011 to make its required pension payment. If approved, the borrowing plan would lighten the load on…
After experiencing several years of poor market conditions, three of the five Illinois State employee retirement funds have reduced their expected rate of return on investments. This rate, also known as the discount rate, is used to…
As explained in its recent analysis of the State of Illinois FY2011 proposed budget, the Civic Federation opposes the practice of supplying money to the State…
An issue in this year’s election campaign for Illinois Governor has concerned the State’s budgetary trends since FY2009. Different conclusions can be reached depending on which numbers are included in the analysis. Counting pension…
A recent poll of Illinois voters might help explain why elected officials have been reluctant to make difficult decisions to solve the State of Illinois’ fiscal crisis. The…
The State appears one step closer to implementing new performance measurement requirements that may significantly improve the General Assembly’s annual budget appropriations process. Illinois Senate President John Cullerton…
The State of Illinois is allowed to carry bills from one fiscal year through a specified period of time in the next fiscal year. This period of time—known as the lapse period—has been extended for FY2010 from two months to six months to…
Citing reliance on one-time revenue sources, such as borrowing, to try and close its FY2011 operating shortfall, Moody’s Investors Service…
The State of Illinois will receive less federal Medicaid funding than it budgeted for in FY2011—but more than had been feared several months ago. After months of debate, Congress in August of 2010 passed and President Obama signed a…
