Last week marked the end of the budget season for the nine local governments monitored by the Civic Federation. These governments include: the City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), DuPage County, City of Chicago, Cook County, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) and Chicago…
The Civic Federation supports the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s proposed budget of $1.1 billion which continues a comprehensive effort to control rising personnel costs. The budget holds the tax-capped portion of the District’s property tax levy flat and reflects recent efforts by the District to address underfunding of its pension and healthcare costs. While praising the overall…
District’s initiative in developing and promoting a framework for pension reform is a model for local governments In an analysis released today, the Civic Federation supports the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s (MWRD) FY2013 Tentative Budget of $1.1 billion which continues a comprehensive effort to control rising personnel costs. The budget also holds the tax-capped portion of the…
The Civic Federation strongly supports the Chicago Transit Authority’s proposed FY2013 budget of $1.4 billion as a structurally balanced plan based on shared sacrifice by union members, riders and CTA management. The budget implements several prudent and sustainable steps including a targeted fare increase. The new proposed fare structure maintains base fares but increases rates for fare passes,…
Structurally balanced plan based on shared sacrifice by union members, riders and CTA management In an analysis released today, the Civic Federation strongly supports the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) proposed FY2013 operating budget of approximately $1.4 billion. The structurally balanced plan is based on shared sacrifice by union members, riders and CTA management. The full 42-page…
Civic Federation cautions use of one-time revenues could undermine deficit reduction efforts In a report released today, the Civic Federation announced its support for the Chicago Park District’s proposed FY2013 budget of $410.9 million which limits spending increases and continues the District’s plan to eliminate its structural deficit by FY2015. The full 51-page analysis is available at…
The Civic Federation supports the $410.9 million FY2013 Chicago Park District budget for limiting spending increases and continuing the District’s effort to eliminate its structural deficit by FY2015. By utilizing prudent alternatives to raising taxes, the District is able to hold its property tax levy relatively flat for the eighth consecutive year. The Civic Federation remains concerned,…
The Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability released a new report today that provides an overview of the condition and funding of Illinois infrastructure. As discussed in a previous post, one of the report’s functions is to compile needs assessments from a number of public agencies to provide an aggregate evaluation of the state of Illinois’ infrastructure, from drinking water to roads to…
This report provides an overview of the condition and funding of Illinois infrastructure based on a compilation of various needs assessments from public agencies that manage infrastructure in the State including the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, the Regional Transportation Authority, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. The Civic…
The Chicago Park District recently released its $410.9 million spending plan for FY2013. The District had identified a $16.0 million budget gap, which it proposes to close with district-wide shut-down days, position eliminations, refinancing debt and some revenue enhancements. In addition, the District plans to use approximately $10.7 million in General Fund fund balance and prior year resources…
