Sign Up for Newsletter
. The Civic Federation
search

Topics

Chicago Public Schools City of Chicago Cook County State of Illinois Criminal Justice Data Dashboards Government Efficiency and Transparency City Charter Illinois Department of Early Childhood Pensions Taxes and Fees Property Tax Transit Federal Programs Consolidation

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.

May 18, 2026

What Chicagoans Pay: A Guide to Consumer Taxes in 2026

The 2026 edition of this annual report lists and describes selected consumer taxes within the City of Chicago (Chicago or the ‘City’), effective as of January 1, 2026. Consumer taxes are taxes imposed on the purchase, use, or consumption of goods and services by individuals and businesses. They are generally paid by the end user, either at the point of sale or through charges embedded in the price of a good or service, and include both broad-based sales taxes and targeted excise taxes on specific products or activities. Many goods that are subject to specific excise taxes (e.g., alcohol tax and motor fuel tax, etc.) are also subject to the general sales tax. 

While not exhaustive, this report is intended to be a comprehensive compilation of taxes paid by consumers within the City of Chicago at all levels of government: federal, state, and local.  

Guide To Consumer Taxes In 2026 Cover Photo

Featured Reports & Analysis

State of Illinois Budget
April 28, 2026

How Illinois' FY2027 Proposed Budget Addresses Long-term Fiscal Sustainability

Governor Pritzker’s FY2027 State of Illinois (Illinois or the ‘State’) budget proposal balances the books amidst a $2.2 billion budget gap, offering a “maintenance” budget that yields a modest general funds surplus of $24 million. This report examines how Governor Pritzker’s FY2027 State of Illinois budget proposal advances the State’s long-term goals for financial stability. This question is particularly important given Illinois’ tepid economic growth and persistent structural challenges, including an underlying mismatch between revenues and expenditures, limited fiscal resiliency, growing pension obligations, and a fiscal framework that does not fully support sustained and inclusive economic growth.
Property Tax
March 25, 2026

Tax Increment Financing: A Primer

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
Illinois Department of Early Childhood
May 06, 2026

Standing up a Department of Early Childhood: What Peer States Can Teach Illinois

This report examines how four peer states—Colorado, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Oregon—structured and implemented similar early childhood departments. These states provide useful points of comparison because each established a standalone agency responsible for key early childhood programs such as child care assistance, licensing and regulation, and early learning or preschool. In each state, the creation of a dedicated department was intended to address fragmentation across agencies, simplify system navigation for families and providers, and strengthen policy coordination across programs serving young children.

All Blog Posts & Reports

Search

Filter

Research type
Civic Federation Topics
Fiscal Year
Government
Publication

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

Subscribe to Our Monthly Newsletter

Subscribe