The State of Illinois will need to contribute somewhat more to its five retirement systems in FY2015, but the growth will be less than previously projected due mainly to strong investment returns. Pension contributions required by State…
The health insurance programs for the State of Illinois’ retired public school teachers outside of Chicago and downstate community college employees face mounting backlogs of unpaid claims as costs continue to outpace revenues, according…
According to the latest legislative report on gaming in Illinois, total casino revenues have recovered since the opening of the State’s tenth riverboat casino…
As part of its ongoing analysis of State and local government budgets, the Civic Federation also reviews proposed capital budgets along with any planning documents provided in support of infrastructure investments. Although many…
Aided by an unexpected surge in income tax collections in April 2013, the State of Illinois’ backlog of unpaid bills is projected to decline to roughly $5.8 billion at the end of FY2014. As shown in the table below and discussed in a…
This analysis of the State of Illinois’ Fiscal Year 2014 Enacted Budget finds that the budget may represent a high-water mark, with future years bringing sharp reductions in revenues and further consequences of the unresolved pension…
The State of Illinois does not currently have a comprehensive policy on economic development incentives. Instead, the State offers a wide variety of financial incentives that reduce specific State or local tax burdens for businesses…
An effort to clear Illinois’ Medicaid program of ineligible enrollees has led to the removal of 128,700 participants, but State savings are expected to be far lower than hoped by lawmakers, according to testimony at a legislative hearing…
In recent years, the State of Illinois’ financial woes had been complicated by a massive backlog of unpaid income tax refunds. When the backlog was paid…
Several recently enacted laws are designed to increase public access to information about the State of Illinois’ budget and improve other aspects of the State’s budget process. The following table lists budget-related legislation signed by…
