During these unprecedented and challenging times for the government and higher education sectors, it is imperative to maintain a qualified and professional public sector workforce. Despite a strong desire from many U.S. residents to make a difference for their communities, job openings in the U.S. Government sector have outpaced new hires for decades, with the employment gap persistently widening since 2010. With more local government units than any other state in the country and the top four employers in Chicago being in the public sector, this problem is particularly acute for Illinois.

To address this persistent need, the Government Finance Research Center is launching the long-awaited Certified Public Manager® (CPM) Program this August! Established in 1979 and accredited by a national consortium, the CPM Program is a leadership and management program intended to improve the skills of employees working at all levels of government and nonprofit organizations, ultimately improving their organizational performance. Illinois is one of only 11 states nationwide without a CPM program. However, with the upcoming launch in August, the CPM credential will be available to public sector employees throughout the state and will be the only accredited program in Illinois.

A CPM credential is earned through mastery of seven core leadership competencies, which are acquired from 300 hours of study culminating in an applied capstone project that benefits the program participant’s employer. This will be accomplished here in Illinois through a mixed-mode format consisting of online asynchronous learning content and activities, plus one full day of in-person group instruction per month over 12 months. Our first cohort will be offered in Chicago on the UIC campus, with subsequent cohorts expanding to other areas of the state for the in-person component. Applications are now open! See the full class schedule and apply now to reserve your spot!

Deborah A. Carroll, Ph.D. 
Director, GFRC

We are excited to announce the release of a new report, Contextualizing Inflection Points in EERE Research Funding Over the Last Two Decades. Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the report explores significant shifts in the U.S Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) research funding from 2002 to 2021.

By examining these funding trends alongside key economic and political developments, the report offers important insights into the evolution of federal investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. You can read more and access the report on the project's webpage. The webpage also includes additional deliverables including blogs, a policy brief, and a webinar. 

We are collaborating with researchers from Tufts University on a project funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where we are examining determinants of noncompliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

In addition, we are working closely with Cook County to identify water infrastructure needs for municipalities within the county.

Finally, we are conducting affordability analyses for three municipalities in Cook County in collaboration with Elevate.

The purpose of the Government Finance Research Center (GFRC) in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is to shape and inform public policy and scholarly discourse on government and public finance by (1) identifying, planning, and executing research, therefore providing reports and informed analyses, (2) delivering educational opportunities and technical training, and (3) offering inclusive venues to convene national and local discussions on fiscal and governance issues.

Contact 

412 S. Peoria, (MC 349), Suite 324 Chicago, IL 60607

Phone:(312) 996-8587

gfrc@uic.edu

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