Civic Federation
@civicfederation.bsky.social
The Civic Federation is a Chicago-based non-partisan, non-profit research organization focused on improving government services across Illinois.
Website: civicfed.org
Website: civicfed.org
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?
July 30, 2025 at 5:57 PM
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?
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-...
🏫 CPS’ fiscal landscape
📚 The history of the School Finance Authority
💰 CPS pensions
Read more: civicfed.org/press/ahead-...
June 16, 2025 at 2:47 PM
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-...
🏫 CPS’ fiscal landscape
📚 The history of the School Finance Authority
💰 CPS pensions
Read more: civicfed.org/press/ahead-...
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
🚗 Read the case study: bit.ly/3F3DvrI
May 20, 2025 at 5:49 PM
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
🚗 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!
May 15, 2025 at 3:32 PM
📢 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.
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.
May 14, 2025 at 3:53 PM
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.
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.
This proposal would cause Illinois to lose between $2.7-4.3 billion annually in Medicaid funding from 2026 through 2034.
May 12, 2025 at 8:15 PM
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.
This proposal would cause Illinois to lose between $2.7-4.3 billion annually in Medicaid funding from 2026 through 2034.
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.
May 8, 2025 at 6:34 PM
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
🔷 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
May 7, 2025 at 6:58 PM
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
🔷 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.
But now, Congress is considering potential cuts to this vital program.
May 6, 2025 at 7:45 PM
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.
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.
May 5, 2025 at 3:35 PM
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
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
May 2, 2025 at 3:46 PM
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
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.
April 30, 2025 at 7:56 PM
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.
Jim, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Loop Capital, is a distinguished Chicagoan with exemplary leadership in the business, civic, and community spaces.
April 29, 2025 at 7:45 PM
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.
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?
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?
April 28, 2025 at 8:58 PM
💰 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?
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.
But first, we proudly honor today’s civic leaders, the 2025 ACA Leader sponsors.
April 24, 2025 at 6:43 PM
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.
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?
Civic Fed President Joe Ferguson had one guiding question in mind while speaking on two panels yesterday: how can we improve Chicago for everyone?
April 23, 2025 at 6:52 PM
"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?
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."
April 16, 2025 at 8:41 PM
“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.
April 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
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.
April 9, 2025 at 8:52 PM
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.
April 2, 2025 at 5:18 PM
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 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
March 31, 2025 at 9:33 PM
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 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
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.
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.
March 25, 2025 at 8:44 PM
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.
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
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
March 24, 2025 at 10:05 PM
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
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.
Unfortunately, Illinois’ tax structure is also outdated, taxing primarily goods, not services.
We need a sales tax that reflects a modern, service-oriented economy.
March 19, 2025 at 6:36 PM
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.
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?
It’s now 2025. How did the Forest Preserve District use the additional property tax revenue?
March 17, 2025 at 6:05 PM
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?
It’s now 2025. How did the Forest Preserve District use the additional property tax revenue?