Chicago’s FY2026 budget was adopted in December, wrapping up an unprecedented and complex budget season. The Civic Federation’s analysis examines how balance was achieved and what fiscal challenges remain. Read the report: civicfed.org/chicagos-fy2...

Do you know an influential and passionate person currently working in Illinois or local government who has had an extraordinary impact on our communities and delivery of government services? Are they a non-elected government official?

ICYMI: Last week, we published a series of reports on CPS’s projected deficit. Outgoing CPS CEO Pedro Martinez sat down with @wttw.bsky.social's Chicago Tonight and shared his reaction to our analysis. Watch here: www.pbs.org/video/outgoi...

📰 NEW from @chicago.suntimes.com: With CPS facing a $529M shortfall and a newly elected board, it’s time to explore all options — including state oversight via a modern School Finance Authority. History shows it worked once. It may be needed again. 🔗http://bit.ly/3SZIz3B

As CPS enters a pivotal budget season facing a growing deficit and a costly new CTU contract, the Civic Federation has released 3 reports examining: 🏫 CPS’ fiscal landscape 📚 The history of the School Finance Authority 💰 CPS pensions Read more: civicfed.org/press/ahead-...

Following the passage of Illinois’ $55.2B FY2026 budget, Civic Federation President @joefergchicago.bsky.social spoke with @capitolnewsil.bsky.social about what’s missing — from pension reform to transit funding. Read his analysis and recommendations: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/illinoi...

The Cook County State's Attorney's transition report outlines key reforms in public safety and justice. President Joe Ferguson served on the Public Corruption Subcommittee, sharing recommendations to tackle some of the County's biggest issues. Read more:

The 2025 Annual Civic Awards is just around the corner on June 26! We are incredibly grateful to have an impressive slate of event co-chairs to help lead and support the event, including: Derek R. B. Douglas, Suzet McKinney, DrPH, MPH, Dorri McWhorter, Jennifer Steans, and Jill Wolowitz.

In this month's member spotlight, we hear from Board Member Sarfraz Taj of Constellation about the power industry and his thoughts on the Chicago Quantum Computing Campus. civicfed.org/blogs/may-20...

Illinois has nearly 9,000 local governments—more than any other state. Our new report shows how this fragmentation affects Green Bay Road, with real impacts for drivers, businesses & planners. 🚗 Read the case study: bit.ly/3F3DvrI

📢 Announcing the 2025 Annual Civic Awards Event Co-Chairs: Derek Douglas, Suzet McKinney, @chiccpa.bsky.social, Jennifer Steans, and Jill Wolowitz!

After CPS closed 50 public schools in 2013, 21 schools remain unsold on the South and West sides. Last week, Civic Fed President Joe Ferguson talked with NBC Chicago about the consequences of these schools’ closures over a decade later. Watch a clip of the interview below.

Congress has discussed proposals to limit how much the federal government pays for each person’s Medicaid coverage. This proposal would cause Illinois to lose between $2.7-4.3 billion annually in Medicaid funding from 2026 through 2034.

“Politicians have long urged never to let a crisis go to waste. That is especially true for a crisis that offers a chance to do something about waste itself. The fiscal cliff facing Chicago’s three transit service boards—the CTA, Metra, and Pace—provides such an opportunity.”

Congress is weighing several proposals to reduce federal Medicaid contributions for traditional Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act Expansion. In Illinois, the federal government covers 51% of the costs for traditional Medicaid recipients and 90% of ACA Expansion costs.

Did you know that Medicaid in Illinois covers: 🔷 1 in 6 adults ages 19-64 🔷 1 in 3 children 🔷 2 in 3 nursing home residents 🔷 1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries 🔷 1 in 3 people with disabilities 🔷 4 in 10 pregnancies

In FY2024, over 3.4 million Illinoisians relied on Medicaid healthcare coverage, with 772,000 of those covered through the Affordable Care Act expansion. But now, Congress is considering potential cuts to this vital program.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lori Healey, a longtime champion of the Civic Federation. Lori was an extraordinary civic leader whose contributions to the City of Chicago and the region were visionary and enduring.

Curious about our 2025 Annual Civic Awards honorees? Want to learn more about our work to reform transit in Northeastern Illinois and advocate for a more sustainable fiscal future for @chipubschools.bsky.social? Read our April newsletter: conta.cc/4lOh8ad

Yesterday, the Civic Federation convened a panel of leading experts—Dr. Paula Worthington, Erin Aleman, and Maurice Scholten—for a conversation on how to modernize Illinois’ tax structure to meet today’s fiscal realities.

You heard it first: James Reynolds, Jr. to receive the Gage-Msall Award at the 2025 Annual Civic Awards: Investing in Tomorrow on June 26! Jim, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Loop Capital, is a distinguished Chicagoan with exemplary leadership in the business, civic, and community spaces.

💰 What’s the point of analyzing government debt? A state’s debt burden, AKA it’s financial liability from various forms of borrowing, offers a window into a government’s fiscal health, stability, and creditworthiness. Rising debt can signal serious concerns. Some examples?

At the 2025 Annual Civic Awards, we’re celebrating our commitment to elevating the next generation of Chicago’s leaders and entrepreneurs. But first, we proudly honor today’s civic leaders, the 2025 ACA Leader sponsors.

"This is a turnaround moment for our city." Civic Fed President Joe Ferguson had one guiding question in mind while speaking on two panels yesterday: how can we improve Chicago for everyone?

“Both UCAN and the Civic Federation were born out of a desire to respond to crises and systemic injustices, and they’ve both evolved over time to meet the changing needs of our region. Their longevity is a testament to strong governance, mission clarity, and a willingness to adapt."

Illinois’ high pension burden has been a longstanding concern of the Civic Federation, as it crowds out the State’s ability to adequately invest in other critical public services. In our latest analysis, we compare Illinois' expenditures on pensions and other spending areas with 12 peer states.

Township form of government is a duplicative layer of government that puts additional burden on taxpayers, on top of the municipalities, counties, school districts, and all of the other taxing bodies to which we pay property taxes in Illinois.

We are thrilled to honor Hyatt Hotels Corporation with the Addams-Palmer Award this year for its unwavering commitment to fostering opportunity and inclusion for the next generation of leaders.

Meet Scott Metcalf, who we’re spotlighting in our March newsletter! A Partner at Franczek P.C., Scott tells us about his time working as Vice President and Research Director at the Civic Federation, his love for his favorite English soccer team, @leedsunited.com, and more. conta.cc/43uWuoW

A thriving public transit system is not just a luxury—it is critical to Illinois’ future competitiveness and equity. Unfortunately, the region’s fragmented transit system doesn’t work for residents or businesses:

Did you know Illinois is home to the most local governments in the United States? This sprawling patchwork of jurisdictions has led to inefficiencies and a lack of transparency and accountability. A prime example? The four Cook County Mosquito Abatement Districts.

Illinois @govpritzker.illinois.gov's FY2026 proposed budget managed to fill a projected $1.7 billion deficit without increasing taxes. How did he close the gap and will the revenue sources sustain and stabilize Illinois’ finances in the long term? Learn more: t.ly/1yipu

The sales tax, IL's second largest revenue source, is critical to supporting government operations and public services. Unfortunately, Illinois’ tax structure is also outdated, taxing primarily goods, not services. We need a sales tax that reflects a modern, service-oriented economy.

In 2022, voters approved a referendum to increase the Forest Preserve District of Cook County's property tax levy and generate an estimated $40 million in additional property tax revenue. It’s now 2025. How did the Forest Preserve District use the additional property tax revenue?

A thriving public transit system is the backbone of Chicago’s workforce and economy. But right now, our fragmented system is not operating effectively.

Chicago’s FY2025 enacted budget technically closed a nearly $1.1 billion projected budget gap. The only problem? One-time revenues filled nearly half of the budget gap. Utilizing one-time revenues is unsustainable and masks systemic financial problems. t.ly/WkKaW

58% of @chipubschools.bsky.social buildings are underutilized. 50 schools operate at 33% student capacity or less. 144,000 seats sit empty of students. How should the Board of Education address this crisis? Read our new short report to learn more: t.ly/Q3kYP

Our member spotlight focuses on...drumroll please...Suzet McKinney! Discover why Suzet calls herself a "tri-sector leader," explore the lessons she learned as Operations Lead for Illinois' Alternate Care Facilities during the pandemic, and more in our latest newsletter. conta.cc/3QBbkT6

Out now: our February newsletter, zeroing in our recent work aimed at improving Illinois’ financial landscape. Also included: our speaker series focusing on @chipubschools.bsky.social' new hybrid school board, a chat with CF Board Member Dr. Suzet McKinney, and much more. conta.cc/3QBbkT6

In our recent analysis of the Illinois Economic Landscape, we laid out the troubling fiscal conditions facing the state. In our new State of Illinois FY2026 Budget Roadmap report, we provide long-term solutions to address the Illinois’ financial challenges, including:

Illinois faces an array of financial strains. A high tax burden. Structural budget deficits. Legacy pension obligations. Underinvestment in areas critical to a vibrant and equitable economic future. The Civic Federation has solutions.

As we enter the FY2026 budget season, Illinois faces a stark reality. Illinois lags behind other states in employment growth, GDP output, and population expansion, limiting its ability to compete economically. Here are some troubling stats:

In our latest report, we focus on a critical issue: despite having economic advantages, Illinois’ growth has lagged compared to other states due to tax and fiscal policy decisions.

This morning, Kids First Chicago CEO Daniel Anello moderated a stimulating panel featuring former CPS CEO Janice Jackson, former Board of Education VP Sendhil Revuluri, and A Better Chicago CEO Beth Swanson on the road ahead for Chicago Public Schools' new hybrid Board of Education.

As contract negotiations continue between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union, a misconception has emerged: the District’s general fund balance is available to pay for new and increased costs. This is incorrect. Learn more here: t.ly/ket87

Term of the day: funded ratio, representing how well-funded a pension fund is. This ratio is the pension fund’s assets (cash and investments) divided by the pension’s liabilities (owed pension benefits). The higher the funded ratio, the more well-funded the pension plan.

Last week, S&P downgraded the City of Chicago’s credit rating, originally BBB+, to BBB. Here are some quick thoughts. We have been sounding the alarm on the City’s structural deficit for more than a decade. The downgrade is not a shocking development. However, all hope is not lost.

Chicago Public Schools’ adopted FY2025 budget closed an initially projected $505 million deficit and is technically balanced. However, the budget faces major fiscal issues, including:

Imagine you had only three days of living expenses left in your checking account. That’s the position Chicago Public Schools finds itself in at certain points of the year. As of June 30 last year, the District only had three days of cash on hand.

Congratulations to the new Chicago Public Schools Board of Education members sworn in today. You face a monumental task: address several financial challenges facing CPS. Our new report provides solutions to fix CPS’s financial standing. Read here: t.ly/-0LAc