The Civic Federation supports the Chicago Park District’s proposed FY2017 operating budget of $449.4 million because it continues to reduce the District’s reliance on fund balance to close its budget deficits and keeps the property tax levy relatively flat. At a time of increased pressure for local governments across Illinois, the Chicago Park District’s proposed FY2017 budget furthers the…
This article examines a new transit tax increment financing (TIF) district that will help fund the Chicago Transit Authority red line modernization. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, acknowledges that this is a creative way to fund Chicago transit in the absence of a State capital bill, but warns that it could change the policy for how public transit is funded in Illinois.
This article discusses the City of Chicago’s decision to extend its property tax rebate application deadline after only a small percentage of eligible City homeowners applied. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, remarks that the rebate program is a broad-brush exemption with modest financial benefit compared to the amount of effort it takes to apply.
(CHICAGO) In an analysis released today, the Civic Federation announced its support for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s FY2017 Tentative budget of $1.13 billion because the District continues to demonstrate a sensible and proactive approach to meeting its financial challenges. The full 57-page analysis is available here. As detailed in the report, the FY2017 Tentative budget…
The Civic Federation supports the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s FY2017 Tentative budget of $1.13 billion because the District continues to demonstrate a sensible and proactive approach to meeting its financial challenges. As mentioned in the full report, the FY2017 Tentative budget is 9.0% less than the FY2016 adjusted budget of $1.24 billion, which is due to the variance that often…
This article covers the Civic Federation’s recent analysis of the City of Chicago’s FY2017 proposed budget. The Federation supports the City’s FY2017 budget because it continues to address unfunded pension liabilities and makes significant improvements to past financial practices. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall remarks that Chicago is in much better shape than it was five years ago but…
On October 11, 2016, Mayor Rahm Emanuel presented his recommended FY2017 budget to the Chicago City Council. Included in the Mayor’s recommended budget for FY2017 is a proposal to impose a new $0.07 tax on disposable plastic and paper bags provided by merchants to customers. Stores would be responsible for collecting the tax but would then remit $0.05 per bag to the City and keep $0.02. The…
How much of the State of Illinois’ transportation funding has been diverted for other uses? The issue has attracted new attention because of a proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution that would prohibit the State and its local governments from using transportation-related taxes and fees for other purposes. After winning nearly unanimous support from the General Assembly last spring, the…
This article discusses the Civic Federation’s call for a full actuarial analysis of the City of Chicago’s plan to save the City’s Municipal Employees Pension Fund and questions whether it may be enough. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall describes the utility tax plan as a reasonable option to help prop up the fund, but also explains that the Federation will not be convinced until it sees…
This article discusses the cost to Cook County taxpayers of separate staffs for each of the 17 Cook County Commissioners. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall remarks that the situation lends itself to further examination and notes that Los Angeles County, similar in geographical size and population to Cook County, has only five elected commissioners.
