"Balancing the 2027 budget should not come at the cost of educating our children today. But it must not come at the cost of educating our children's children tomorrow." In a new Chicago Tribune op-ed, President @JoeFergChicago pulls no punches on the financial crisis CPS finds itself in. Legacy debt, mounting maintenance costs on aging facilities, and soaring pension liabilities have pushed the district into a deep financial hole. The path forward requires bold action: right-sizing facilities, cutting maintenance costs, and tackling the district's debt load. With Board of Education elections approaching in November, the moment for fresh leadership and real solutions is ripe. 📰Read the full article here: chicagotribune.com/2026/06/1… 🔗 Visit our website to read our latest analysis on CPS' debt burden: civicfed.org/understanding-m…

What can Chicago learn from New York City’s budget practices? A new Civic Federation analysis compares how major U.S. cities prepare budgets and examines New York City’s requirements for structural budget balance and multi-year financial planning: civicfed.org/what-chicago-ca…

"You can't win every day. But you have to show up consistently, and when you look back over weeks, months, years, you can see progress." — Sean Garrett, President and CEO, United Way of Metro Chicago Our 2026 Annual Civic Awards was a resounding success. This year's theme—Everything is Connected—was reflected in President @JoeFergChicago's call for greater cross-sector collaboration and echoed throughout a candid fireside chat between our honorees, Sean Garrett and EY Chicago Managing Partner Kevin Cole. Thank you to the leaders from across the business, nonprofit, and civic sectors who joined us to celebrate two individuals whose leadership, partnership, and commitment continue to strengthen Chicago and our region. #EverythingIsConnected

I had a great time yesterday attending the Civic Federation’s 2026 Annual Civic Awards, recognizing the leaders and institutions whose work continues to shape and strengthen Chicago.

The @CivicFederation's 2026 Annual Civic Awards. I love the Civic Fed's focus on providing data-driven recommendations that make people's lives better. Illinoisans are begging for our leaders to set aside politics and focus on solutions.

Statement from the Civic Federation following the Bears' announcement today

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: civicfed.org/understanding-m…

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

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: civicfed.org/what-chicagoans…

"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. 🔗 fox32chicago.com/video/fmc-o…

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: civicfed.org/IL-FY27-budget-…

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: civicfed.org/blog/cook-count…

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!

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: civicfed.org/how-Illinois-FY…

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.

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: civicfed.org/local-governmen…

Transparent, accountable government leads to stronger communities, better decisions, and more equitable outcomes. That’s what drives our work at the Civic Federation. civicfed.org/