General Fund

Released October 21, 2019

The state of Illinois faces a significant structural deficit into the future. The report highlights the nature of the structural deficit and identifies two key causes: the state’s historically flawed  tax policy and the plan devised for repayment of Illinois’ pension debt. CTBA proposes both the adoption of the Fair Tax and a reamortization of the pension debt as described in the report titled: Addressing Illinois’ Pension Debt Crisis With Reamortization. Doing so would allow the State to ensure full funding for the Evidence Based Funding Formula while also improving the status of Illinois’ public employee pension system and eliminating the State’s structural deficit by 2042.

Released May 6, 2015

PowerPoint presented by Ralph Martire at the Senate Revenue Hearing.

Released April 8, 2014

Presentation on the FY2015 budget proposals given at the National Associatioin of Social Workers Advocacy Day in Springfield, Illinois.

Governor's FY2015 Proposed General Fund Appropriations ($ Millions)

Released 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.

Released 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.

Released February 22, 2006

A drilldown on environmental policies and programs in the proposed FY2005 General Fund budget.

Released July 3, 2013

CTBA's 2013 testimony and presentation to the Pension Conference Committee.

Released October 10, 2006

This Fact Sheet provides information on how public education is funded in Illinois.

Released February 28, 2007

This Fact Sheet provides information on how Illinois could reform its fiscal system to provide equitable education funding.

Released February 14, 2006

An overview of the FY2005 state budget for education.

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