UIC to study government reaction to recession

Researchers at University of Illinois at Chicago will get a $950,000 grant for a three-year study to help city governments respond to recessions.

The study will look at how city governments can adjust to the global economy and plan for sustainable growth.

Researchers hope to help cities handle issues like pensions, workforce development, cuts to social and human services, jobs, public safety and the tax base during a recession. Annual surveys show from 2009 to 2011, most cuts in city budgets were in infrastructure and personnel, including wages, pensions and benefits.

UIC will collaborate on the study with the National League of Cities Center for Research and Innovation and a working group from the Federal Reserve Bank. The grant is from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.