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Springfield Snapshot, April 29-May 2, 2013
Both the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate were in session this week. Four weeks remain in this legislative session, and bills need to have advanced to the other chamber or received an extension from leadership to advance through the legislative process. Bills also must advance out of second chamber committees by Friday, May 10, 2013. The following Policy...
Local Transportation Funding Measures Voted on Across the U.S.
Current federal and state sources of transportation revenue have proven inadequate to meet our nation’s investment needs. In response, local and regional governments have increasingly turned to their own dedicated sources of revenue to maintain and expand their transportation systems. On November 6, 2012, voters in 11 states weighed in on various local transportation funding...
Shedding Light on Property Tax Assessment and Classification
Rethinking Property Tax Classification in Cook County
When new businesses decide to locate in areas with existing infrastructure on vacant or underutilized "infill" land, everybody wins. Without the need to invest in extending new roads, sewer systems, and power lines to undeveloped areas, taxpayers and local governments save money. Open space is preserved. Communities that may be struggling with vacant lots see new jobs, resources, and...
Stability of Major Tax Revenue Sources
Sales, income, and property tax revenues are the primary source of general funding for state and local government. Governments typically have more discretion over these revenues in comparison to federal grants, user fees, or other funds that must be used for a specific program or purpose. Thus, fluctuations in these revenue sources can affect the ability of state and local...
November Springfield Snapshot
CMAP closely monitors state legislative efforts related to the agency’s work and efforts to implement GO TO 2040. The following describes highlights of recent legislative activity from November, including two budget reallocation bills and efforts to retain businesses through tax breaks. Budget reallocation bills would provide much-needed funding for water data collection In...
TIF Reform Panel Releases Final Report
On August 29, 2011, the City of Chicago’s TIF Reform Panel released its final report . The panel was formed in May 2011 to make recommendations regarding the transparency, accountability, and efficiency of the City’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program. TIF districts are created to fund economic development projects in blighted areas where development would not otherwise occur...
Illinois Talks Taxes
State and local taxes have an impact beyond the public revenue they raise. To a great extent, they create incentives that shape the commercial and residential development of our communities. GO TO 2040 recommends that state and local tax policies be analyzed to ensure they are incentivizing a strong regional economy. A burdensome, complex, or unpredictable tax system is...
Broadening the Sales Tax Base to Keep Rates Low, Economically Competitive
GO TO 2040 recommends a comprehensive evaluation of a series of potential reforms to the state and local tax structure. In northeastern Illinois, tax policies frequently distort land use decisions rather than allow markets or quality-of-life factor to guide them. Tax rates are often set very high, and the tax base is overly narrow rather than broad, which further stifles economic...
City of Chicago Transition Report
On May 10, Chicago Mayor-elect Emanuel released a 72-page transition report , which he said the public should use as a “scorecard” for his mayoral term. The report outlines major initiatives -- grouped in categories of government, communities, children, and growth -- that the City will undertake during the first 100 days, first year, and first term of Mr. Emanuel’s...
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Web Content Display
The LTA home page has details of activities sponsored by the HUD Sustainable Communities grant to CMAP for support of community projects that advance the principles of GO TO 2040. In our second call for projects through the Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program, CMAP received over 100 proposals from more than 80 applicants. View the press release and summary of selected projects.
An interactive map of local case studies describes projects and people that exemplify the goals and objectives of GO TO 2040.
CMAP's Local Ordinances and Toolkits program provides resources to municipalities interested in pursuing policies that are aligned with GO TO 2040 recommendations.
