Government Efficiency and Transparency

.

Civic Federation says Cook County can cut taxes and balance budget

In this blog post, Greg Hinz examines some of the recommendations in the Civic Federation’s Cook County Modernization Report.

.

Alderman Wants to Give Chicago Contractors Preferential Treatment

This news segment is about a proposal floated by Chicago Alderman Ricardo Munoz to give companies based in the City of Chicago priority on City contracts. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall says the plan could prove illegal if state or federal funds are involved.

.

Candidate Forum: Cook County Board President

 This segment of the “Chicago Tonight” news program features a roundtable discussion with the three candidates for Cook County Board President. The candidates discuss recommendations made by the Civic Federation’s Cook County Modernization Report.

.

Modernization Report Calls for Increased Transparency in Cook County’s Operations

On Monday the Civic Federation released the Cook County Modernization Report, which provided leaders of Cook County with ideas for improving and reshaping county government. Cook County government provides three major public services: a comprehensive public health system; a judicial system including law enforcement and the State’s Attorney’s Office; and tax administration and official records…

.

Chicago Transit Authority FY2011 Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

  The Civic Federation supports the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) proposed FY2011 budget of $1.3 billion but has significant concerns for the agency in the longer term. The budget is a 5.2% or $66.7 million increase from the adopted FY2010 budget of $1.2 billion.  The proposed FY2011 budget maintains the current level of transit service for the Chicagoland area. However, it is…

.

CTA Budget Maintains Service Levels, Earns Civic Federation Support

Group Retains Concerns about Use of Capital Funds to Balance Budget The Civic Federation announced today that it supports the FY2011 Chicago Transit Authority proposed budget of $1.3 billion because it implements efficiencies and cost-cutting measures while maintaining current service levels. However, the Federation retains significant concerns about the System’s future fiscal stability. The full…

.

DuPage County Budget Cuts Expenditures, Maintains Services

Civic Federation Supports FY2011 Budget, Urges More Complete Planning Process  Citing DuPage County’s plan to cut expenditures by 3.0% while pledging to maintain core services, the Civic Federation announced today that it supports the $459.4 million proposed FY2011 budget. However, the Federation warned that the County will need to improve its financial planning process to prepare for an…

.

DuPage County Proposed FY2011 Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the DuPage County FY2011 proposed operating budget of $459.4 million. The County is reducing operating expenditures for the second year in a row while pledging to maintain the existing level of service and keep the property tax levy at roughly the same level as last year. Going forward the County needs to plan for a continued decline in economically sensitive…

.

Cook County Modernization Report

The purpose of the Cook County Modernization Report is to provide leaders of the County with ideas for reshaping and refining County government that will improve service delivery to residents while reducing wasteful spending and decreasing reliance on taxpayer funds. The Modernization Project provides a roadmap for creating a government that is more efficient, less costly and more accountable.…

.

Cost-Cutting Proposals on Tap for MWRD – Part III

Over the past two weeks the Civic Federation blogged here and here about the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s reaction to its estimated $24 million budget deficit. Specifically, we outlined Executive Director Richard Lanyon’s proposals to reduce this deficit, in part, by making changes to employee and retiree health benefits.  Mr. Lanyon presented his cost-cutting plan to the…