Issue Brief: How Does Illinois Spending on Public Services Compare to Other States?
Release: January 23, 2014
This Issue Brief compares Illinois’ General Fund (GF) spending on services to other states using three metrics: (i) per capita; (ii) as share of state Gross Domestic Product (GDP); and (iii) number of state employees per 1,000 residents. Under each metric, Illinois ranks as one of the lowest spending states in the nation.
Analysis of the FY2014 General Fund Budget
Release: October 1, 2013
The fiscal problems that have historically plagued Illinois are on full display in the FY2014 General Fund budget passedby the Illinois General Assembly. The state’s accumulated deficit remains significant, and in all likelihood will be at least $8 billion by the end of FY2014. Despite increases for some aspects of the General Fund budget, net spending on services will be $173 million less in FY2014 than in FY2013. Meanwhile, as spending on service delivery continues to decline, the annual cost of debt service continues to grow—specifically the debt owed to the state’s five public pension systems.
Analysis of Proposed FY2014 Chicago Public Schools Budget
Release: August 27, 2013
Despite an increase in spending, Chicago Public Schools is proposing to eliminate 1,520 instruction positions and draw down reserves to dangerous levels in its FY2014 proposed budget. This is, partly, because CPS has underfunded the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund and there has been a decline in state funding to CPS. CTBA's Analysis of the FY2014 Chicago Public Schools Budget Proposal illustrates the challenges CPS faces today.
Fact Sheet: Illinois Public Employee Retirement Systems
Release: August 19, 2013
Fact Sheets on Illinois' five state-funded retirement systems.
"For Each and Every Child"
Release: August 12, 2013
Ralph Martire's presentation on national education reform and the the federal Equity and Excellence Commission's report presented at the National Conference of State Legislators in Atlanta, GA.