Government Budgets

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State of Illinois FY2017 Recommended Operating Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation is unable to support Governor Rauner’s recommended budget for FY2017 because it has an operating deficit of at least $3.5 billion and presents an insufficiently detailed plan for closing the gap. According to the…

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Illinois Swap Liabilities Looming After Downgrades

The State of Illinois’ budget impasse could cost taxpayers another $138 million due to liabilities associated with its swaps portfolio, if the lack of a spending plan causes its bond ratings to fall much further. As previously…

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McCormick Place Plan For Lucas Museum Under Scrutiny

This article discusses the City of Chicago’s billion-dollar plan to build the George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art that will require borrowing and tax increases. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, explains that until an…

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Comptroller Munger: ‘Devastating’ Budget Stalemate Needs to End

This article reports on Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger addressing the budget impasse by delaying paychecks to lawmakers until the stalemate is resolved. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall remarks that the Comptroller’s plan…

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Emanuel's Lucas Museum plan is expensive long shot

This article examines the amount of borrowing and tax increases necessary for the City to construct the George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, notes that it would be difficult to prioritize…

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State Comptroller: Lawmakers Will Have To Wait For Paychecks

This article discusses an announcement by Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger that lawmakers’ paychecks will be delayed as a result of the ongoing budget impasse. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall notes that not having an FY2016…

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Illinois Budget Impasse Would Be Solved In No Time If These Folks Were In Charge

This article discusses a recent state budget forum featuring a panel of eight Illinois lawmakers providing their respective insights on Illinois’ current financial crisis. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall co-moderated the…

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Illinois Has No Budget, So Where Do State Tax Dollars Go, Anyway?

This segment examines how the State of Illinois has been spending billions of dollars in revenue even in the absence of an FY2016 budget. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, notes that the impasse creates tremendous burdens…

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Interest Penalties on Illinois’ Overdue Health Insurance Bills Keep Rising

Due to its growing backlog of overdue group health insurance bills, the State of Illinois is expected to pay a total of at least $454 million in interest penalties in the current and upcoming budget years, according to a…

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Late payments cost state over $900 million the last six years

This article examines the nearly billion dollars of interest the State of Illinois has paid in penalties over the last several years because of its continually late bill payments. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall notes that these…