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2011 Budget Options for the City of Chicago

September 26, 2011

Summary

This report contains 63 options to decrease City spending or increase revenue. For each option, we present an overview and an estimate of the savings or increased revenue that the option would generate.

Executive Summary

This report contains 63 options to decrease City spending or increase revenue. For each option, we present an overview and an estimate of the savings or increased revenue that the option would generate. Additionally, we include brief discussions of what proponents might argue in support of the option and, conversely, what opponents might argue against the option. Finally, we have added a section this year for more complex or controversial options that provides an additional discussion of the option and additional information decision makers might want in deciding whether or not to implement the option.

The impetus for this report is to fulfill a component of the core mission of IGO: promoting effectiveness and efficiency in City operations. A City government that spends more than it brings in cannot long be effective; budgets that carry forward the waste and ineffective aspects of prior budgets cannot serve the cause of efficiency. When the 2012 budget deficit of $635 million is combined with the City’s pension system funding shortfalls, Chicago faces an effective annual deficit of $1.2 billion.

2011 Budget Options for the City of Chicago - publication cover