The Civic Federation

How does Chicago's proposed FY2027 budget stack up against our 5 priorities? ❌ Avoiding short-term budget fixes ✅ Continuing supplemental pension payments* ❌ Meaningful cost-cutting efficiencies ❌ Commonsense revenue increases** ❌ Stronger City Council oversight *New borrowing undermines pension progress. **Corporate head tax reintroduced, despite widespread criticism last budget cycle Our analysis: 🔗civicfed.org/blog/five-thing…

🗳️ Chicago! Board of Education elections are ONE WEEK away! Ready to vote? We've got you covered. Our voter guide breaks down what the Board does, why these elections matter & what to know before heading to the polls on Nov. 3. Get informed. Make your voice heard! #YourVote #YourVoice #BoardofEducation #CivicShorts

With another contentious budget cycle underway, it's time to revisit how Chicago makes financial decisions and how City Council exercises oversight. A city charter could provide a framework for stronger governance. Read David Greising's latest Chicago Tribune column: chicagotribune.com/2026/10/2…

The Mayor's proposed FY2027 budget is an unacceptable abdication of responsibility. Borrowing for police misconduct settlements, spending one-time parking meter proceeds & skipping real savings only digs Chicago deeper into a hole. Full statement: civicfed.org/blogs/statement…

Missed yesterday's City Charter subject matter hearing? 🔗Watch it in full at the link: youtube.com/watch?v=yYTdEXaH…

Smiles all around as Chicago's city charter movement takes another major step forward! Special thanks to Leader Ann Williams, Leader @kambucknerchi , @HamernickJ73553, and Rahul Kalsi for their tireless leadership and advocacy in the months leading up to today's hearing. The momentum is building and the work continues! Follow along for more updates on the City Charter for Chicago Initiative: civicfed.org/civic-federatio…

DID YOU KNOW? 1. Chicago is the only major US city without a constitution. 2. The last time an effort was made to advance a city charter in Chicago was in 1914. 3. Chicago's current governance structure is based on an assortment of ordinances, codes, and laws, under the Home Rule Act of the Illinois State Constitution. Tomorrow, President @JoeFergChicago testifies before the Illinois Executive Committee on the necessity of establishing a city charter here in Chicago. — File a witness slip in support of HB5282 and find details for tomorrow's hearing here: ilga.gov/House/hearings/deta…

Next week, President @JoeFergChicago will testify before the Illinois House Executive Committee alongside Representative Kam Buckner to express the need for a City Charter here in Chicago. This subject matter hearing marks an important step forward in a an initiative the Civic Federation has been championing with A More Just Chicago to bring greater transparency, durability, and accountability to local governance. Find details about the meeting and lend your support by filing a witness slip below! Meeting Details: ilga.gov/House/hearings/deta… File a witness slip: ilga.gov/House/hearings/deta…

📍REPORT RELEASE | Illinois SNAP Enrollments Continue to Fall as HR 1 Takes Effect Illinois has seen significant declines in SNAP enrollment as the federal policy changes in H.R. 1 started to take effect earlier this year. Overall, SNAP enrollment has fallen by 22.4% between October 2025 and July 2026, with the largest decline occurring among working age adults. 🔗Read the full report: civicfed.org/SNAP-2026-Illin…

Another SNAP number Illinois is watching: 14.67%—the State’s FY2025 payment error rate. If it does not improve, Illinois could eventually be responsible for 15% of SNAP benefit costs, currently estimated at just under $500M annually by federal FY29. 🔜 Stay tuned for our forthcoming analysis of Illinois' declining SNAP enrollment

Nearly 100,000 Illinois children left SNAP from October 2025 to June 2026. 🔻 Ages 0–13: -13.4% 🔻Ages 14–17: -16.5% SNAP enrollment also helps determine federal school meal reimbursements. Currently CPS qualifies for $200M+ in federal meal reimbursements, but the District’s declining enrollment could affect federal funding.

Chicago faces a projected $882.4M budget gap in FY2027. As budget season gets underway, here are 5 things the Civic Federation is watching for: 1️⃣ Avoiding short-term budget fixes 2️⃣ Continuing the supplemental pension contribution 3️⃣ Making meaningful progress on cost-cutting efficiencies 4️⃣ Pursuing commonsense revenue increases 5️⃣ Strengthening City Council oversight of the budget Closing the gap is only part of the challenge. The FY2027 budget cycle should also move Chicago toward long-term financial stability. 🔗Read more: civicfed.org/five_things_to_…

Who is disappearing from Illinois’ SNAP? SNAP enrollment is falling sharply among working-age Illinoisans: 🔻Ages 18–64: -24.8% 🔻Ages 55–59: -21.1% 🔻Ages 60–64: -19.6% ➖Ages 65+: little change 📊Our forthcoming report examines these trends as new federal work requirements take effect.

What does effective school board governance look like in practice? 🔍 Today, we closed out our 2026 Policy in Practice series with a candid conversation on the challenges and responsibilities of governing CPS. We were joined by current Board members: 💠 Ed Bannon, District 1A 💠 Yesenia Lopez, District 7B 💠 Angel Gutierrez, District 8A Moderated by Bridget Lee of the Academy for Local Leadership, the discussion explored Board leadership from the inside as Chicago continues its transition to a fully elected school board. Missed it? Watch the full conversation: 🖥️ youtu.be/Zn_zJkzSVwg Before the Nov. 3 Board election, be sure to explore our 2026 Voter Guide: civicfed.org/2026-chicago-bo…

1.48 million Illinoisans were enrolled in SNAP as of July 2026. 📉 That’s a 22.4% decline since January 2025, compared with a 15.6% decline nationally through May. Our forthcoming analysis takes a closer look at what’s behind Illinois’ sharp decline.

📉 CPS enrollment is down again. CPS reports approximately 305,000 students enrolled for 2026-27—about 11,000 fewer than last year. But its facilities and operations remain at levels designed for ~450,000 students, strengthening the case for right-sizing the District.