Understanding Chicago’s 2026 Record TIF Surplus
by Daniel VeseckyIn October of 2025, Mayor Brandon Johnson released his proposed 2026 budget, which aims to close a deficit…
by Daniel VeseckyIn October of 2025, Mayor Brandon Johnson released his proposed 2026 budget, which aims to close a deficit…
By Lily PadulaExecutive SummaryThe recent federal government shutdown caused nationwide disruptions in public services and assistance across many domains, including food and nutrition supports for low-income individuals and households (see…
by Grant McClintock Since opening in September 2023, Chicago’s temporary casino has consistently underperformed revenue expectations. Presented as a potential windfall to support Chicago’s underfunded police and fire pensions, every…
by Daniel Vesecky Note: This summary was prepared in advance of the November 10, 2025, hearing to serve as an easy reference for City Council members, media, advocates, and Chicago residents.With the City of Chicago (Chicago or the ‘…
by Grant McClintock Most of the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD, or the ‘Department’) spending (96.5%) is budgeted through the City’s Corporate Fund, or general operating fund. This analysis provides a snapshot of CPD spending within…
by Daniel VeseckyIn 2019, the City of Chicago (Chicago or the ‘City’) had a budget of $8.9 billion, excluding grants from the State of Illinois (Illinois or the ‘State’) and the Federal government. By 2025, expenditures had grown to $12.4…
By Lily Padula Each fall, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) issues its…
By Paula Worthington Over 41 million individuals rely on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) to assist in buying food each month—including nearly 1.9 million individuals in Illinois. The current federal…
By Grant McClintock and Daniel VeseckyUpdate 11/6/2025: On November 5, S&P Global Ratings adjusted its outlook on Chicago’s credit rating from stable to negative. Read the Civic Federation's…
by Grant McClintock Download the report summarySee the Civic Federation's…