Civic Federation (Chicago, Ill.)

The Civic Federation of Chicago was founded in 1894 in response to municipal political corruption and poor quality city services. Lyman Gage, the president of First National Bank of Chicago was named President, Bertha Palmer was Vice-President and Jane Addams, a trustee. The Civic Federation's goal was to make Chicago "the best governed, the healthiest and the cleanest city in the country." The Federation was originally organized into six committees: philanthropic, moral, industrial, educational and municipal. It tackled such problems as gambling houses, food inspection, and garbage collection. By 1917, the federation began to focus on municipal spending and taxation. The organization continues to "promote efficiency and economy in the organization and management of public business."

From the description of Records, 1918-1960. (University of Illinois-Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 52535532

Civic Federation of Chicago, one of the oldest taxpayers' watchdog groups in the United States, had its beginnings in an 1893 meeting of Chicago citizens who were concerned about vice and political corruption in the city. By 1920, the Civic Federation focused its efforts on monitoring the budgets and tax structures of Chicago's governing bodies and has continued to do so in a strictly non-partisan manner up to the present day. The Civic Federation publishes reports and commentary about local government tax policies, government services, and public expenditures.

From the description of Civic Federation Collection, 1894- (DePaul University). WorldCat record id: 696417937

Known as the Civic Federation of Chicago, 1894-1932; merged with the Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency to become the Civic Federation and Bureau of Public Efficiency (Chicago, Ill.); in 1941 became The Civic Federation (Chicago, Ill.).

From the description of Civic Federation of Chicago records, 1893-1948 (bulk 1893-1928). (Chicago History Museum). WorldCat record id: 709913479