05.16.19
The Institute’s mission is to improve the state’s decision-making process by providing timely fiscal policy analysis and recommendations to state officials, the media and the public through education and digital outreach.
State of Illinois FY2020 Recommended Operating and Capital Budgets: Analysis and Recommendations
Click here to read the full report. Click here to read the press release for this analysis. SUMMARY Amid one of the longest economic expansions in U.S. history, the State of Illinois still faces...
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State of Illinois FY2020 Budget Roadmap
Click here to read the full report. Click here to read the press release for this report. AT A GLANCE Prior to the release of the Governor’s annual budget recommendation, the Institute for...
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Illinois Pensions 101: A Visual Guide to the State's Biggest Financial Challenge
The following is an infographic-style primer intended to concisely and accessibly present the most important information and data on the Illinois pension crisis. The series...
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The Civic Federation
Given that Cook County spends hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to run the jail, the public ought to have ac… https://t.co/I828EuMiRW
The Civic Federation
Given the financial pressures and projected deficits facing Cook County, the Civic Federation recommends that the C… https://t.co/uW2CIGJBi1
Blogs
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...
08.15.19
A key Illinois Medicaid panel has recommended that the State move away from costly and often ineffective hospital detoxification services to treat opioid addiction....
08.01.19
In an earlier blog post , the Civic Federation analyzed the FY2020 budget enacted by the General Assembly. At the time, the State had not yet released a summary of appropriated...
07.18.19
A new pension buyout plan designed to save hundreds of millions of dollars for the State of Illinois in the fiscal year that just ended actually generated relatively minor savings in FY2019 and does not appear likely to...
In the News
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...
12.31.18
The Bond Buyer
This article discussed the challenges municipalities across Illinois face in dealing with their growing pension obligations. The article offered a number of examples where the burden of pensions...
10.15.18
Chicago Tribune
This article reports that there is growing bipartisan support for a capital plan in Springfield. The State of Illinois has not had a comprehensive capital plan since Illinois Jobs Now! , passed in...
05.23.18
Chicago Magazine
This article discusses Civic Federation recommendations from the FY2019 State of Illinois Budget Roadmap to...