Government Efficiency and Transparency

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County FY2012 Executive Budget Recommendation: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the Forest Preserve District of Cook County FY2012 Executive Budget Recommendation totaling $195.0 million, which includes both operating and capital expenditures. We commend the District for holding its…

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Cook County and City of Chicago Election Functions Should Be Merged

In its Recommendations for a Financially Sustainable City of Chicago, the Civic Federation recommended that the City’s election function be transferred to Cook County.…

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Practical Cuts Must Be Made to Chicago Services, Including Library Funding: Renda

This editorial segment discusses cuts that could be made to the City of Chicago budget to fill a $635 million deficit. It mentions the Civic Federation’s support of the City’s FY2012 budget proposal because the proposal made significant…

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Cook County, Incorporated

This entry on the Ward Room blog discusses Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposal to charge residents of unincorporated areas of the County a fee for County services. The entry mentions the Civic Federation’s 2010 finding…

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Civic Federation 2012 Legislative Priorities

The Civic Federation's legislative priorities for 2012 include public pension reform, requiring the State of Illinois to develop and implement a capital improvement plan, dissolving the Illinois International Port District, creating a new…

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Civic Federation: CTA Budget Continues Difficult Process of Improving Financial Condition; No Fare Hikes, Service Cuts Contingent on Labor Changes

The Civic Federation supports the proposed FY2012 Chicago Transit Authority budget of $1.2 billion because it will set the agency on a more sustainable path. The spending plan will also avoid fare hikes or service cuts if labor unions and…

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Budget Reform Panel Issues Report and Recommendations

The State of Illinois’ new commission tasked with improving the State’s budget process recently…

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Chicago Transit Authority President’s Proposed FY2012 Operating Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the FY2012 proposed Chicago Transit Authority budget of approximately $1.2 billion because it ends the past practice of using capital funds to close operating gaps and maintains current fare and service levels…

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Pay full share of sheriff’s patrols

In this letter to the editor, Civic Federation President Laurence Msall explains the Civic Federation’s support for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposal to charge residents of unincorporated areas of Cook County for…

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Preckwinkle Faces Pushback

This article discusses the controversy surrounding Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s plan to require residents of Cook County’s scattered unincorporated areas to pay for police services they currently receive from the County.…