The Civic Federation is a Chicago-based non-partisan, non-profit research organization focused on improving government services across Illinois. Website: civicfed.org We are primarily on LinkedIn and Twitter.https://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3mdgatdloks2lChicago’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: https://civicfed.org/chicagos-fy2026-adopted-budget27 Jan 2026 17:10 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdgatdloks2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lv773fte5k2hDo 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?30 Jul 2025 17:57 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lv773fte5k2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lseybouyyk22ICYMI: 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: https://www.pbs.org/video/outgoing-cps-ceo-pedro-martinez-on-hopes-for-future-8o5n0e/24 Jun 2025 20:56 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lseybouyyk22https://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lrvplwmglk2y📰 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/3SZIz3B18 Jun 2025 19:11 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrvplwmglk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lrq7woowkc2eAs 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: https://civicfed.org/press/ahead-pivotal-budget-season-civic-federation-releases-reports-chicago-public-schools16 Jun 2025 14:47 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrq7woowkc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lrgebircsk2wFollowing 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: https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/illinois-55-2b-budget-incomplete-civic-federation-president-says/12 Jun 2025 16:38 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrgebircsk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lrbkkwzgjc2gThe 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: https://www.cookcountystatesattorney.org/news/cook-county-states-attorney-burke-issues-transition-report10 Jun 2025 18:47 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrbkkwzgjc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lquy6onjp22jThe 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.05 Jun 2025 18:46 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lquy6onjp22jhttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lq65w5orj22iIn 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. https://civicfed.org/blogs/may-2025-member-spotlight-sarfraz-taj27 May 2025 16:58 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lq65w5orj22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lpmnjrztkc2gIllinois 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/3F3DvrI20 May 2025 17:49 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpmnjrztkc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lp7tklhnf22i📢 Announcing the 2025 Annual Civic Awards Event Co-Chairs: Derek Douglas, Suzet McKinney, @chiccpa.bsky.social, Jennifer Steans, and Jill Wolowitz!15 May 2025 15:32 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lp7tklhnf22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lp5e7yh45s2cAfter 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.14 May 2025 15:53 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lp5e7yh45s2chttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3loyrwbqcjs2xCongress 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 2034.12 May 2025 20:15 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3loyrwbqcjs2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3loqoyqpbak2g“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.”09 May 2025 15:01 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3loqoyqpbak2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lookhb3ock2uCongress 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.08 May 2025 18:34 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lookhb3ock2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lom3cbpdhk2yDid 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 pregnancies07 May 2025 18:58 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lom3cbpdhk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lojnhpiax222In 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.06 May 2025 19:45 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lojnhpiax222https://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3logp225r6c2pWe 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.05 May 2025 15:35 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3logp225r6c2phttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lo76avqm5c2mCurious 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/4lOh8ad02 May 2025 15:46 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lo76avqm5c2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lo2lbhu6622aYesterday, 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.30 Apr 2025 19:56 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lo2lbhu6622ahttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lny26wnri22kYou 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.29 Apr 2025 19:45 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lny26wnri22khttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lnvnsah34227💰 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?28 Apr 2025 20:57 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnvnsah34227https://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lnlegabau22mAt 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.24 Apr 2025 18:43 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnlegabau22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lniuhggwjk2p"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?23 Apr 2025 18:52 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lniuhggwjk2phttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lmxhbhoxds2q“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."16 Apr 2025 20:41 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmxhbhoxds2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lmhxjeyg2k2cIllinois’ 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.10 Apr 2025 16:49 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmhxjeyg2k2chttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lmfumkqcqc2aTownship 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.09 Apr 2025 20:52 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmfumkqcqc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3lltvg3cw2k2rWe 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.02 Apr 2025 17:18 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3lltvg3cw2k2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3llpcqqjbus2qMeet 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/43uWuoW31 Mar 2025 21:33 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3llpcqqjbus2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/civicfederation.bsky.social/post/3llchmdfgpk2lA 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:26 Mar 2025 18:56 +0000at://did:plc:mqagy6sjmcssr5crp7br5cde/app.bsky.feed.post/3llchmdfgpk2l