Who We Are

The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization committed to advancing social and economic justice for all. Our evidence-based research has helped generate fundamental changes in education, healthcare, housing, economic development, and tax policy in Illinois and nationwide.

WHAT WE DO

Since our founding in 2000, we have collaborated with community-based organizations, elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels, and opinion leaders to identify policies at the intersection of tax and spending where reforms are needed to create access to opportunity for everyone, irrespective of income, race, ethnicity or social class. We are experts at understanding how fiscal policy – like tax policy and state pension funding – impact the capacity of the public sector to provide essential services.

OUR WORK

Demonstrates How a Stronger Society Creates a Stronger Economy
CTBA’s work demonstrates the connection between adequately funded core public services—that are designed to comport with best practices--and promoting access to real opportunity and competitive advantage in a modern global economy. Before advocating any policy reforms, CTBA surveys best practices, interviews experts and community leaders, and researches the structure and operation of existing core public systems. CTBA then identifies how long-term structural issues can be remedied to eliminate shortcomings that deny opportunity, and ensure core public policies in everything from education and economic development to housing, healthcare, and social services, can be expected to generate desired outcomes.  

Provides Bipartisan Insight on Complex Issues
We work with legislators on both sides of the political aisle by providing policy briefings, technical assistance, and key testimony. We frequently draft legislation elected officials bring to the floor. CTBA also provides technical support to numerous community-based organizations on issues ranging from economic development and tax fairness to affordable housing, income supports, and overall economic/social justice. Our goal is to create research that’s readily accessible to the general public.

CTBA goes where the research and facts lead us.  CTBA then utilizes the research and data to frame issues that often are politically-charged in an evidence based, non-inflammatory manner.  Our aim is to create support for evidence based reforms across ideological lines.

MAKING AN IMPACT

In addition to research, analysis, and policy development, CTBA's expertise and activities include, but are not limited to: 

  • Working as a technical advisor to legislators on both sides of the political aisle;
  • Providing policy briefings, legislative drafting assistance, and testimony at the request of legislators and/or administrative officials;
  • Providing technical support to community, advocacy, and religious organizations in various forms, including analysis of budgetary or other policy initiatives;
  • Developing user-specific fact sheets, drafting op-ed pieces, and providing “training of the trainer” seminars;
  • Serving in leadership roles in coalitions;
  • Public education and speaking;
  • Making presentations at press conferences;
  • Providing media briefings;
  • Performing contract research for third parties.