Government Budgets

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CPS issues $5.8 billion preliminary budget

This article covers Chicago Public Schools’ July 2 budget announcement, which includes a plan to count 30 days of FY2016 revenue toward the FY2015 budget to help fill a projected FY2015 deficit nearing $1 billion. The Civic Federation said…

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CPS finds money to plug $800 million hole in 2015 budget

This article discusses the budget plan announced by Chicago Public Schools July 2 that includes extending the period in which the District will collect property tax revenue by an additional 30 days to August. The Civic Federation said it…

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Cook County Issues Preliminary Budget Forecast for FY2015

On June 26, 2014, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle issued a preliminary budget forecast for fiscal…

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Governor Signs Illinois' Operating Budget but Vetoes Capitol Complex Upgrades

Despite criticizing the General Assembly for not passing an adequate budget for the new fiscal year, Governor Pat Quinn…

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The Illinois Income Tax: A Significant Source of Revenue for Local Governments

Under Illinois law, the State is required to share a certain portion of state income tax receipts with municipal and county governments…

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Chicago Faces Significant Swaps Liabilities if Bond Rating Lowered Again

The City of Chicago currently has the lowest rated credit of any major city in the country according to Moody’s Investors Service.  At Baa1, the long-term bond rating is still several levels above…

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City Hall’s financial time bomb

This article discusses interest rate swaps made by Chicago that require the City to maintain a credit rating of at least Baa1, or financial institutions can terminate deals and demand payment. Chicago’s credit rating sits at Baa1 after…

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Fox 32 Sunday with Mike Flannery

In this clip Civic Federation President Laurence Msall discusses the FY2015 Budget passed by Illinois legislators May 30. The budget does not provide funding for a full fiscal year, and relies on borrowing and shifting revenue from FY2014…

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Illinois General Assembly Approves Expanded Capital Budget with Additional Borrowing

Although Governor Pat Quinn originally proposed a capital budget for FY2015…

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FY2014 Public Safety Spending in Cook County

Cook County is a home rule government with three primary responsibilities: collecting tax and fee revenue, protecting public health through the administration of a public health and hospital system and ensuring public safety and justice…