Government Budgets

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Civic Federation: CTA Budget Continues Difficult Process of Improving Financial Condition; No Fare Hikes, Service Cuts Contingent on Labor Changes

The Civic Federation supports the proposed FY2012 Chicago Transit Authority budget of $1.2 billion because it will set the agency on a more sustainable path. The spending plan will also avoid fare hikes or service cuts if labor unions and arbitrators agree to work rule changes that would save $160 million annually. The full 41-page analysis is available at civicfed.org. The budget ends the CTA’s…

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Budget Reform Panel Issues Report and Recommendations

The State of Illinois’ new commission tasked with improving the State’s budget process recently published its first annual report with substantive recommendations for implementation of performance based budgeting for the State and guidance for the next steps in the process. The Budgeting for Results Commission was appointed by Governor Pat Quinn in August 2011 and has spent the last several…

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Chicago Transit Authority President’s Proposed FY2012 Operating Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the FY2012 proposed Chicago Transit Authority budget of approximately $1.2 billion because it ends the past practice of using capital funds to close operating gaps and maintains current fare and service levels. This budget proposes to substantially curb expenditure growth by addressing expensive labor practices thereby setting a direction for structurally balanced…

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Analysis shows Chicago mayor’s budget would reduce deficit

This news story examines the Civic Federation’s analysis of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s FY2012 $6.3 billion budget proposal for the City of Chicago.

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Civic Federation praises, dings Emanuel’s first budet

In this blog post, Crain’s columnist Greg Hinz discusses the Federation’s analysis of the City of Chicago FY2012 budget proposal.

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Civic Federation Supports Cook County Budget for Improved Efficiency, Spending Cuts

(CHICAGO) The Civic Federation supports the proposed FY2012 Cook County budget of $3.3 billion because it reduces spending from FY2011, implements efficiencies and avoids raising broad-based taxes. The full 77-page report is available at civicfed.org. Breaking with many past County practices, the operating budget is set to reduce spending by 3.7%, or $112.3 million, and is on target to be…

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Cook County FY2012 Executive Budget Recommendation: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the Cook County FY2012 Executive Budget Recommendation totaling $2.9 billion. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposed $2.2 billion General Fund budget is a 4.6%, or $107.4 million, decrease from the FY2011 adopted budget. The budget closes a $315.2 million shortfall with $219 million in spending cuts, $53 million in revenue enhancements and over 1,000…

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City of Chicago FY2012 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the proposed FY2012 City of Chicago budget of nearly $6.3 billion because it takes effective action to reduce the City’s structural deficit through significant expenditure reductions and targeted revenue increases. The proposed budget greatly reduces the City’s reliance on one-time revenue sources to close the $635.7 million budget gap. It prudently does not contain…

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Chicago Budget a First Step Toward Improved City Finances

Civic Federation Urges Mayor, City Council to Get Moving on Pension Reform The Civic Federation announced its support for the proposed $6.3 billion FY2012 City of Chicago Budget today. The Federation’s full 106-page report not only reviews the spending plan for the next fiscal year, but also measures the City’s progress in implementing reforms to improve financial sustainability. “Chicago is not…

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General Assembly to Consider Budget-Related Bills in Veto Session

The Illinois General Assembly is expected to take up a host of budget-related bills during its veto session, which opened on October 25, 2011. During the veto session, the General Assembly considers bills vetoed by the Governor. The legislature also considers bills that it had not acted on when the spring session adjourned, but only if they progressed far enough in the legislative process to meet…