Financial Future of Cities Series: Editor’s Note

The Chicago Policy Review is pleased to present a three-part series on the financial future of cities. This series is comprised of conversations with Municipal CFOs and seeks to showcase financial trends in Seattle, Chicago, and Memphis and prompt a look toward the future of these three American cities.

Twice a year The University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy partners with the Office of the Mayor of the City of Chicago and the Governing Institute to host the semi-annual Municipal CFO Forum. Financial leaders from the 30 largest cities in the United States come together to share their knowledge and experiences.

During the Fall 2014 Municipal CFO Forum the Chicago Policy Review was able to interview CFOs from Seattle, Chicago, and Memphis. We encourage readers to look back in our archives to see how much has changed since we last spoke with Seattle Finance Director Glen Lee, Memphis Finance Director Brian Collins, and Chicago CFO Lois Scott.

In Seattle you will read about how growth in the IT sector has continued to drive the city’s economy, spurring new construction and affordable housing efforts. Memphis demonstrates a spirit of determination in tackling poverty and illiteracy rates and creating jobs for the next generation. And in our own city of Chicago you can see how the focus has shifted from overextended pensions and rating agency downgrades. We now observe a new generation of investors seeking opportunities for impact through tools like social impact bonds.

Cities are seen as engines of economic growth. This series of conversations with CFOs gives us a rare look inside city growth and show theories of municipal finance in practice.

Feature Photo: cc/(JH Images.co.uk)