Research Library
October 29, 2026
Illinois Early Childhood System Scorecard: Establishing a Baseline for the Transition to IDEC
Illinois is reorganizing its early childhood system through the creation of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC). As programs, funding, and administrative responsibilities move into a more unified structure, there is a need for a clear starting point against which future progress can be assessed. This report establishes that baseline for policymakers, system leaders, providers, advocates, and others seeking to understand how Illinois’ early childhood system is performing at the outset of the transition.
Featured Reports & Analysis
November 12th, 2026
Growth and Economic Conditions in Illinois: A Short Update
As Illinois approaches the next stage of its budget process, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget will release its annual economic and fiscal policy report, including updated FY2028 and five-year projections. This Civic Federation update examines the economic conditions that will shape those forecasts—and the budget choices ahead.
October 01, 2026
Five Things to Watch for in Chicago’s FY2027 Budget
The City of Chicago’s FY2027 budget process is now underway, with the Mayor expected to introduce a proposed budget to the City Council in October. The process began with the release of the City’s Budget Forecast, which provides the first detailed look at the financial challenges facing the City in the coming fiscal year. The forecast projects an $882.4 million budget deficit for FY2027 - nearly $284 million less than the $1.15 billion gap projected last year for FY2026, but still one of the largest projected deficits in the City’s history.
September 15, 2026
Estimated Full Value of Real Property in Cook County: 2006-2024
Full value studies estimate the market value of residential and commercial real estate within a taxing district. The full market value of real estate is an indicator of regional economic health, the size of the property tax base, and how property tax burdens are allocated across taxpayers. This measure provides a point-in-time snapshot of the estimated value of the property tax base, and allows for examining trends to show how market values have changed over time and whether the assessment burden has shifted between different geographic areas and property classes.
The Civic Federation annually estimates the full market value of real estate in Cook County. Data is presented for Cook County as a whole, as well as within Cook County’s three assessment districts, referred to as triads: the City of Chicago, Northwest Cook County suburbs, and Southwest Cook County suburbs. This report also breaks down the estimated full value of property by assessment class (type of property).
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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.