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Our Research

The Civic Federation engages in robust, independent, and objective fiscal analysis, recommendations, and oversight of government at all levels. Our work is driven by the belief that government must operate in ways that are Stable, Sustainable, and Resilient.

Achieving in a way that fosters legitimacy and inspires public confidence requires a foundation built on systems that are Transparent, Accessible, Accountable, and Effective.

Our work focuses on two core areas of expertise, fiscal policy and governance, and we promote policies, practices, processes, and outcomes that not only address today’s challenges but also build long-term trust in government.

April 7, 2026

Explainer: Local Government Consolidation

With nearly 9,000 units of local government, Illinois is among the most fragmented states in the nation. Government consolidation is frequently proposed as a mechanism to improve efficiency, accountability, and fiscal sustainability in fragmented systems of local governance. In practice, consolidation can take many forms, ranging from full structural mergers and dissolutions of governments to narrower functional consolidation and shared service arrangements. This report provides an overview of the conceptual arguments for and against government consolidation and describes how these issues have appeared in the Illinois context.

Featured Reports & Analysis

Transit
March 25, 2026

Tax Increment Financing: A Primer

Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, is one of the most widely used—and often misunderstood—economic development tools in Illinois. This report explains how Tax Increment Financing (TIF) operates in Illinois, including Chicago; assesses its fiscal impacts on taxpayers and overlying taxing bodies; outlines the TIF designation process; summarizes key policy debates over its benefits and drawbacks; and reviews recent empirical research on TIF in Illinois and the United States.
Cook County Health and Hospitals System
March 2, 2026

Cook County Health: FY2026 Budget and Long-Term Risks

Cook County’s enacted budget for FY2026 totals $10.0 billion, half of which pertains to Cook County Health (CCH), which provides mandatory health services to County residents and others, including those who cannot afford care elsewhere. This report provides more detail and context on Cook County Health’s fiscal impacts on the County as a whole. With preliminary FY2025 financial results now available, state budget deliberations underway, and continued federal policy shocks, the time is right to review Cook County Health’s FY2026 budget and FY2027-FY2030 long-term forecast and assess risks going forward.
Illinois Department of Early Childhood
January 20, 2026

Illinois Early Childhood Landscape

This report provides a data-driven overview of the early childhood landscape in Illinois. It examines demographic and socioeconomic conditions, governance and organizational structures, funding trends, program access, workforce capacity, quality indicators, family experiences, and outcomes. The goal is not to make policy recommendations, but rather to provide a comprehensive baseline of information to inform future discussions about Illinois’ early childhood system.

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Keep up with the Civic Federation's latest research and recommendations on fiscal policy and other key issues facing our state and local governments.

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