Chicago Tribune
This front-page article describes the report released by a task force organized by the Civic Federation to explore options for improving funding structures for public subsidies to the cultural institutions of northeastern Illinois. The task force found that even though cultural institutions provide substantial economic benefits to the region, including over $1 billion in economic impact in 2002, their public subsidies from all levels of government have diminished. After reviewing many different options, the task force recommended a one quarter of one percent increase in the Cook County sales tax to fund the institutions, together with a cut in property taxes currently going to those institutions.