•February 21, 2018•

By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

In its just released report, the Civic Federation of Chicago prescribes bitter medicine as the only way to cure the state’s fiscal woes. The remedies offered are probably more than many or most readers can stomach. And please don’t shoot this messenger for what follows.

I write this just before Gov. Bruce Rauner is to give his annual budget message. I will wager dollars to dimes he did not echo the Civic Federation.

Founded in 1894, the Civic Federation of Chicago board is a roll call of Chicagoland’s leading businessmen and women, not a wild-eyed liberal group.

The group’s staff of 12 analysts pore over the budgets of Chicago, Cook County and state governments. Their recommendations are respected but not always adopted. Gluttons for punishment may download the 60-page report by going to the group’s website.

First, the Civic Federation lays out a list of atrocious budget realities, a few of which are:     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.