Sure, speak your truth, but make sure to listen like you might be wrong. @CivicFederation
Chicago, IL
Joined September 2021
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Merging the complex of early childhood programs under the new IL Dept. of Early Childhood (IDEC) is under way. Early childhood investment offers the best ROI for the future health, well-being and success of our children, the public education stack that serves them and their and our economic prospects. W/support from @McCormick_Fdn, @CivicFederation has created a scorecard for evaluating its progress.
chicagobusiness.com/opinion/…
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By the same logic, reinstating ShotSpotter as well, but apparently we are cherry-picking referenda.
Johnson tells Crain’s: Election strengthens the case for taxing the wealthy chicagobusiness.com/politics…
Joe Ferguson retweeted
Johnson tells Crain’s: Election strengthens the case for taxing the wealthy chicagobusiness.com/politics…
Joe Ferguson retweeted
Civic Federation is thrilled to welcome @LeighGiangreco to the team as our new Director of Communications!
With over a decade of experience writing for leading publications, Leigh brings invaluable experience in media strategy and storytelling.
We are excited to have you and look forward to the impactful work ahead!
It’s a great week for civics in Chicago.
I voted in the city’s historic school board election and started my new job as the director of communications at the @CivicFederation !
Joe Ferguson retweeted
Finally, a wise financial decision. I agree city will benefit from improved supply environment by pushing debt offering to January, as seasonally the market-wide issuance is usually lowest then. Up in the air if we catch a near-term break on rates.
Math matters. Modeling of the impact of the proposed head tax and increase to the already by far highest in the nation personal property lease tax (PPLT) proposed in Chicago’s FY2027 budget from @StuLoren in @chitribopinions . chicagotribune.com/2026/10/3…
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The good news in this bad news from @CrainsChicago drawing on a sober @CivicFederation assessment is it is just the start, not the end, of the budget season. Still time for @ChiCouncil to course correct for a mayoral proposal straying from responsible budgeting and fiscal practices. A city constitution (charter) would help in future cycles.
chicagobusiness.com/opinion/…
Joe Ferguson retweeted
Illinois has 1,400+ townships, and about half serve fewer than 1,000 residents. Today’s @chicagotribune editorial on trimming the smallest ones cites our research.
📰 chicagotribune.com/2026/10/2…
📊 civicfed.org/blog/civic-fede…
A troubling reveal about what drove an outstanding CPD Supt to retire and complicates the ability to attract first rate applicants to be his successor. A mayor’s role is to find the best leader for a police dept, fully support them and hold them accountable but NOT constrict and hide the ball with them.
Oh!
today's story on this mysterious gunshot detection technology, from @JakeSheridan_: chicagotribune.com/2026/10/2…
Joe Ferguson retweeted
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…
Joe Ferguson retweeted
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…
A force amplifying addition in @chitribopinions from @davidgreising @BetterGov to the rising call for a municipal constitution for Chicago, the only major city without one, whose comparatively standardless fiscal management now makes imperative. chicagotribune.com/2026/10/2…
Joe Ferguson retweeted
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…
Joe Ferguson retweeted
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…
Joe Ferguson retweeted
Downtown to O'Hare in 15 minutes. That's the promise of @ohareflyer
I sat down with CEO Dave Lundy to talk about what it takes to pull off this $2B project in Chicago
We spoke why Boring Company never happened and how this project is funded without taking money from the CTA or Metra
📺 youtu.be/gZvIf-CxBAA
See Dave speak at Chicago Builds: Third Rail on Nov 12: luma.com/78iclzrl
0:00 Intro
0:30 How do you market a 15-minute train to O'Hare
2:39 Why past attempts like the Boring Company failed
3:56 Battery-electric trains every 15 minutes, no freight delays
5:42 Old Post Office to O'Hare Terminal 2
6:48 New European-style track on existing freight routes
8:06 Project labor agreement and 1,500 construction jobs
9:35 More HQs, conventions and easy layovers
11:05 Safety, full-height gates and ticket price
12:40 No CTA or Metra money: private funding and federal loans
15:14 Where the money is coming from
16:50 Why no Midway Flyer
18:46 Working with the mayor, CDA, CDOT and IDOT
19:42 Downtown station reveal and final rail agreements
21:10 The founding team
23:20 How big things get done
26:05 The 2031 headline