Government Budgets

.

Bond investors want Illinois to dig deeper

This article discusses concerns in the bond market that the State of Illinois’ recent tax increase does not do enough to correct the State’s precarious finances. The Civic Federation says the bond market is especially concerned with…

.

Editorial: Let the state cost-cutting begin

This editorial about the recent State of Illinois income tax increase, which includes an annual cap on spending, mentions a Civic Federation suggestion that the State should spend less than the cap and only up to available revenues.

.

Reaction to Historic Tax Hike

In this segment of the "Chicago Tonight" news program, Civic Federation President Laurence Msall participates in a roundtable discussion about the State of Illinois' passage of a large income tax increase package.

.

Cook County forest preserves could spend more on buying land

This article is about the Forest Preserve District of Cook County’s FY2011 preliminary budget plans. The Civic Federation calls for the creation of a separate board of commissioners for the District, instead of the current system in which…

.

State of Illinois Appropriations and Total Spending: An Update

In discussions of the State of Illinois’ budget, no issue is more contentious—or more confusing—than recent spending trends. Simply stated, is Illinois spending more or less than it was two years ago?…

.

Forest Preserve District’s Governance Structure Causes Conflicts, Budget Delays

In its recently released analysis of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County’s FY2011 proposed budget…

.

State of Illinois Should Not Use Pension Obligation Bond Proceeds for General Funds

The Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability at the Civic Federation recently described how some State of Illinois pension bond proceeds…

.

Forest Preserve District of Cook County FY2011 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the FY2011 Forest Preserve District of Cook County budget of $198.0 million, which includes both operating and capital expenditures. The proposed FY2011 budget represents a decrease of $236.3 thousand, or 0.1…

.

Lack of Action on FY2011 Forest Preserve District Budget Demonstrates Need for Separate Governing Board

(CHICAGO) Even though the staff of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County completed and filed its budget three months ago and is now over three weeks into the 2011 fiscal year, the dual board of Commissioners that governs both the…

.

Some Pension Bond Proceeds Could End Up in General Funds

In addition to the tax increase and spending limits bill approved in the last hours of the 96th Illinois General Assembly,…