Taxes and Fees

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State of Illinois Diversions of Transportation Funds

How much of the State of Illinois’ transportation funding has been diverted for other uses? The issue has attracted new attention because of a

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Civic Federation questions Emanuel’s utility tax plan

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…

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Cook County Board spending way more on staffs than collar county boards

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…

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Led by Chicago, Cook County property values continue recovery

This article discusses findings included in the Civic Federation’s recent Estimated Full Value of Real Property in…

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Evanston Township Dissolution Saves Taxpayers Nearly $780,000

The City of Evanston recently released a white paper on the initial results following the dissolution of its coterminous township. Based on the results…

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Emanuel's pension bill: $1.1 billion a year—and counting

This article reports on the amount in tax increases that the City of Chicago will need to stabilize the City’s major government pension plans. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, says the tax hikes are reasonable and better…

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Estimated Full Value of Real Estate in Cook County Increases for Second Year in a Row

The full market value of real estate in Cook County was approximately $499.1 billion in tax assessment year 2014 according to an annual estimate released today by the Civic Federation. The 2014 total value estimate represents an increase…

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Estimated Full Value of Real Property in Cook County: 2005-2014

This report provides estimates of the total market value of real property in Cook County from 2005-2014 and shows how property value is spread among the City of Chicago, the northern and the southern suburbs. The full market value of…

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Emanuel eyes utility tax increase to save largest pension fund

This article reports on the City of Chicago’s potential plan to save the Municipal Employees Pension fund through raising utility taxes. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall remarks that there are very few, if any, sources of revenue…

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A Comparison of Community College Tuition Rates in Northeastern Illinois

The Civic Federation recently released its analysis of the City Colleges of Chicago FY2017 Tentative Annual Operating Budget. This blog…