Government Efficiency and Transparency

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Chicago Transit Authority FY2008 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the CTA's proposed $1.0 billion FY2008 budget because it makes the necessary fare and service changes to create a blanced budget for the coming fiscal year. The Federation calls on the General Assembly and…

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City of Chicago FY2008 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation opposes the City of Chicago's proposed $5.9 billion budget. The budget proposes an additional $266.6 million in new spending and includes a $108.0 million property tax increase, the largest in recent Chicago history.…

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County FY2008 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the Forest Preserve District's proposed $175.2 million budget because the District has issued a Capital Improvement Plan for the second consecutive year and made it available on its web site. The Federation…

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Cook County FY2008 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation opposes the Cook County FY2008 proposed budget. The $3.2 billion budget includes a 267% increase in the county sales tax, the addition of 1,130 new positions, and other tax hikes that could generate as much as $979.8…

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Chicago Public Schools FY2008 Recommended Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation gives qualified support to the Chicago Public Schools Recommended 5.8 billion dollar FY2008 operating budget. The District has made efforts to contain costs and improve budget transparency. However, the Civic…

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City Colleges of Chicago FY2008 Tentative Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supports the City Colleges of Chicago's tentative $473.6 million FY2008 budget because the district will reduce its overall property tax burden, exercize fiscal restraint, and has increased the amount of time allowed…

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State of Illinois FY2008 Recommended Operating Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation opposes the massive expansion of health care and long-term borrowing proposed in the FY2008 State budget recommendation, but offers qualified support for sale/lease of the State lottery and for reasonable revenue…

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Strengthening the Financial Accountability of Illinois School Districts: A Report of the Education Reform Committee of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus

This report compares Illinois school districts' financial management and accountability standards with nationwide best practices, and makes policy recommendations regarding steps Illinois should take to ensure greater financial…

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Cook County FY2007 Proposed Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation offers qualified support for Cook County’s FY2007 Budget based on the County’s plan to meet its 502 million dollar budget deficit with substantial spending cuts rather than tax increases. The Civic Federation opposes,…

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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District FY2007 Tentative Budget: Analysis and Recommendations

The Civic Federation supported the MWRD's FY2007 Budget because it minimizes the burden on taxpayers and implements sound financial planning techniques. Notably, the MWRD has adopted a policy establishing an irrevocable trust for funding…