The Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability at the Civic Federation provides timely policy analysis and recommendations to assist Illinois’ decision-makers with regard to the state's operating and capital budgets, public employee pensions, capital investment, debt, Medicaid, and state employee and retiree health care.

Please select one of the following topics to read the latest IIFS research and commentary on that subject.

In 1894 a group led by several of Chicago’s most prominent citizens, including Jane Addams, Bertha Palmer and Lyman J. Gage, coalesced around a serious issue: the need to address deep concerns about the city’s economic, political and moral climate at the end of the 19th century. The resulting organization, called the Civic Federation, evolved during the 20th century to become a leading advocate for governmental fiscal responsibility and an effective champion of rational tax policy.

Welcome to the Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability at the Civic Federation, made possible by a generous grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

The Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability is an initiative of the non-partisan Civic Federation. 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.