Government Budgets

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Measuring the Productivity of the Chicago Transit Authority

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) recently released its FY2015 proposed budget. While the Civic Federation traditionally analyzes features…

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Illinois Attorney General Seeks Expedited Appeal of Pension Reform Case

Shortly after a Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge ruled that the pension reform law passed in Illinois almost a year ago violated the State constitution, Attorney General Lisa Madigan…

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Chicago City Council passes Emanuel's $7.3 billion budget

This article follows the passage of Chicago’s FY2015 budget by a 46-4 City Council vote. The Civic Federation supported the budget in its November 3 analysis…

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The Chicago Transit Authority's budget 'turnaround'

This editorial discusses financial improvements made by the Chicago Transit Authority in the past few years that have led to a more fiscally stable agency. It cites the Civic Federation’s…

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County FY2015 Executive Budget Recommendation: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the Forest Preserve District of Cook County’s FY2015 proposed $187.4 million budget for holding the property tax levy relatively flat and minimizing the use of one-time resources. This balanced budget is very…

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Civic Federation Supports FY2015 Forest Preserve District Budget

Report applauds level of public input in planning, warns of declining pension health In a report released today, the Civic Federation supports the $187.4 million budget proposed by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. The…

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Civic Federation Supports FY2015 CTA Budget

Proposal reflects past work to secure pensions, modernize labor practices In an analysis released today, the Civic Federation supports the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) proposed FY2015 operating budget of nearly $1.4 billion. The…

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Chicago Transit Authority President's FY2015 Budget Recommendations: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) proposed FY2015 budget of nearly $1.4 billion. The budget represents an improved level of fiscal stability made possible by the CTA’s efforts in past years to secure its…

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Positive Economic Report Overshadowed by State Tax Policy

Nearly all indicators point to positive economic growth in the State of Illinois for the fifth consecutive year in 2015 but due to a change in income tax rates, State government finances remain in crisis. In a…

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Here's what the numbers say about Rahm Emanuel

This article reviews the initiatives of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel during his first term in office. On the topic of City finance, the City’s general obligation debt has grown at a slower rate under his administration but some existing debt…