The State of Illinois’ inadequate funding of its employee retirement systems has already contributed to downgrades in the State’s credit ratings and will continue to affect rating decisions for many years, according to a new report by Moody’s Investors Service. The report comes as Illinois’ Pension System Modernization Task Force is preparing to issue recommendations to the General Assembly to…
The Civic Federation supports the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) proposed FY2010 budget of $1.29 billion. Facing significant public funding short falls, CTA plans to close its $300.9 million deficit with fare increases ranging from 25 to 75 cents per ride, the elimination of 1,021 full-time equivalent positions, reductions in bus and rail service and the transfer of capital funds into general…
The Civic Federation supports the $521.2 million FY2010 DuPage County budget proposal because it maintains funding for core programs while providing property tax relief. The County has additionally improved its budget planning process and increased government transparency. Read the press release for the FY2010 DuPage County budget proposal here.
Civic Federation President Laurence Msall was a panelist for this discussion on public pensions in Illinois.
This article, part of an investigatory series about Illinois’ public employee pension crisis, quotes the Civic Federation. The Federation says that part of the problem can be attributed to the changing nature of retirement benefits, which were originally meant to provide economic security for those no longer able to work.
This article about Fitch’s revision of the Chicago Public Schools’ bond rating from positive to stable cites the Civic Federation analysis of the FY2010 CPS proposed budget, specifically the recommendation that the Illinois General Assembly and District work together to reform the District’s pension system in order to avert fiscal challenges.
Data from the most recent audited financial statements of Illinois’ state and local government pension funds shows that the total unfunded liabilities for pensions supported by the taxes of Chicago residents reached $10,037 per capita for fiscal year 2008. Property taxes paid by Chicago residents (both owners and renters) support the four pension funds for City of Chicago employees as well as the…
In this segment on the City Room news program, Civic Federation Vice-President Lise Valentine is interviewed about the Federation’s support of the Chicago Public Schools FY2010 operating budget. Ms. Valentine also points out that CPS must gain control of its ballooning pension system.
The Civic Federation supports the $6.9 billion Chicago Public Schools FY2010 proposed budget. The District employed reasonable measures to balance its budget in light of a $473 million deficit, including cuts to personnel and a proposed drawing down of reserves. The Federation also supports the District’s modest 1.5% increase to its property tax levy. Going forward, the Federation has concerns…
Today the Civic Federation released its analysis of Chicago Public Schools’ proposed FY2010 budget. On page 61 of the analysis we discuss the District’s dramatically escalating annual pension contribution costs. The District’s statutorily-required pension contribution was $177.8 million in FY2009. In FY2010 it will jump to $307.5 million, a one-year increase of $129.7 million or 72.9%. But…
