The Civic Federation

The Civic Federation is a Chicago-based non-partisan, non-profit research organization focused on improving government services across Illinois.

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

CPS is projected to spend more than $629 million on debt service in FY2026.

A new Civic Federation report finds the District’s debt burden is among the highest of major U.S. school districts and warns that long-term fiscal challenges cannot be solved through one-time measures alone.

Read the report: https://t.co/5jp9bi9ac2

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

Read President @JoeFergChicago statement following the conclusion of Illinois' General Assembly session last night. ⬇️

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

Chicagoans pay some of the highest consumer taxes in the country and many of those costs continue to rise through incremental changes to fees, sales taxes and digital taxes.

The Civic Federation’s updated Chicago Consumer Taxes report examines how those taxes impact affordability, consumer costs and Chicago’s competitiveness.

Read the report: https://t.co/L4Q9z3lLZE

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

"People shouldn't panic yet"

While the $732 million deficit is substantial, President @JoeFergChicago explains that CPS still has options and levers it can pull before resorting to classroom cuts.

More coverage on the pending CPS budget last week from Fox 32 Chicago in the link below.
🔗 https://t.co/4ql1DfxWag

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

NEW: Our third and final report on Illinois’ FY2027 State budget looks at long-term fiscal progress. While the proposal closes the near-term gap, it does not address underlying structural challenges.

Read more: https://t.co/g125gpWx6R

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

Cook County property taxes are up 182% since 1995, far outpacing inflation and wages.

Our latest recap connects new findings from the Treasurer with Civic Federation research showing why Illinois’ property tax system is too complex, inequitable, and in need of reform.

Read more: https://t.co/2iPbE1wzxM

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

Ever wondered how Tax Increment Financing (TIF) actually works?

We’re kicking off a new video series breaking down complex fiscal topics into clear, accessible content.

In our first episode, Civic Federation’s Roland Calia explains the basics of TIF—what it is, how it works, and why it matters.

Watch the video below and stay tuned for more answers to your most frequently asked questions in this exciting new series!

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

Our FY2027 budget analysis series continues with a look at federal funding.🔍

Uncertainty in Washington can create real fiscal risks, we look at how Illinois is accounting for these challenges.

📖Read more: https://t.co/leinULJqN8

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

We’ve moved!

The Civic Federation is now based in the historic Chicago Board of Trade Building, a landmark that has anchored Chicago’s financial and economic leadership for nearly a century.

Proud to continue our work from a place that reflects the city’s legacy of shaping markets, policy, and public finance.

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

Illinois is one of the most fragmented systems in the nation with nearly 9,000 units of local government.

Consolidation is often proposed as a solution. When it works, it’s targeted, function-specific, and improves coordination and transparency.

More in our new report: https://t.co/IepyJqD5cZ

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

Transparent, accountable government leads to stronger communities, better decisions, and more equitable outcomes.

That’s what drives our work at the Civic Federation. https://t.co/BJaf3MEPvS

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

The Governor's FY2027 budget proposal offers an early look at the State's fiscal priorities and constraints.

We're releasing a series of short analyses examining key components of the budget. First a "maintenance budget" and what that means.

Read more: https://t.co/YLuLJDBogb

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

TIF is one of Illinois’ most widely used — and misunderstood — economic development tools.

With almost 1,500 districts statewide, it shapes local investment, taxes, and public finance. Our new primer breaks down how it works and why it’s so debated: https://t.co/jgzkLuL6JJ

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

Mark your calendars! 🗓️

The Civic Federation’s Annual Civic Awards will take place June 9th at the Radisson Blu. Join us as we celebrate leaders advancing outstanding and exemplary civic leadership in Chicago.

Stay tuned for our honoree announcement—and secure your spot today: https://t.co/IYftNC1nVU

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

What does Illinois’ proposed budget say about the state’s fiscal outlook?

In the coming weeks, the Civic Federation will examine how the proposal addresses the state’s budget gap, prepares for potential federal funding shocks, and supports Illinois’ long-term economic growth. Stay tuned!

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

One sector stood out in Illinois job growth last year.

Representing 16.4% of all non-farm employment, the Education and Health sector accounted for a significant share of new jobs in 2025. 🏛️🩺

As 2026 data rolls in, policymakers will need to monitor this sector closely as they shape sustainable policy for the years ahead.

📍 Read more in our report:
https://t.co/2rEI0CdLVW

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

Federal policy changes don’t just stay in Washington — they directly affect Illinois’ budget.

Federal H.R. 1 passed by Congress in 2025 would have reduced state revenues by more than $830 million in FY2026 if Illinois had not acted to “decouple” from certain provisions. These shifts matter even more as we face a budget gap in FY2027, at a time when the State may need to spend more to make up for federal funding shifts. As legislators continue their work in Springfield this spring, they will need to consider what policy changes to make in order to maintain fiscal stability. You can read more about this issue in the Civic Federation’s report from last month linked here:

https://t.co/np7687Mz5a

[The Civic Federation @CivicFederation]

Cook County enters FY2026 with a $10.0B budget, no new taxes or fees, strong reserves, and continued pension progress. But federal Medicaid changes could pose up to a $400M risk in the coming years.

Read our analysis: https://t.co/WntriZt0kL