Round Lake Park’s police pension crisis could result in state intervention

By Brendan Bakala

04/20/2018

Under Illinois law, towns that miss required pension contributions risk state intervention. In 2016, Round Lake Park paid less than 40 percent of its required pension contribution.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Harvey pension crisis leads to mass layoffs

By Adam Schuster

04/11/2018

Police, firemen and other government workers will be laid off to cover pension costs.

TAGS: Edgar Ramp, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Chicago Park District pension reform ruled unconstitutional

By Adam Schuster

04/05/2018

The ruling will likely mean higher taxes for Chicagoans.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago Park District, COLA, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Alton in negotiations to sell off city sewer system and water treatment plant to pay for pensions

By Brendan Bakala

03/05/2018

Most of the proceeds from the sale of Alton's sewer system and water treatment plant would go toward combined police and fire pension debt of more than $113 million.

TAGS: Metro East, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Mundelein fire department dispute shows weight of growing pension costs

By Brendan Bakala

02/22/2018

Village officials are trying to control expenses by cutting staff as growing pension costs continue to gobble up local tax dollars.

TAGS: Illinois Labor Relations Board, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Broken pension system puts Schaumburg taxpayers on the hook for bad investments

By Austin Berg

02/10/2018

The defined-benefit pension system threatens the retirement security of government workers, as well as the pocketbooks of overburdened taxpayers.

TAGS: 401(k), municipal pensions, pensions, schaumburg

Danville officials propose monthly fee of $22-85 for pensions in addition to property tax hike

By Brendan Bakala

11/30/2017

A new city proposal would have owners of Danville property pay fees of up to $1,020 a year just for public safety pensions.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Cook County retirees to outnumber active employees in 2 years

By Chris Lentino

11/16/2017

Recently released data shows retirees outpacing active employees, adding pressure to an already stressed pension fund.

TAGS: 401(k), Cook County, municipal pensions, pensions

More than 2,200 Cook County workers receive salaries over $100,000

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

10/06/2017

More than 2,200 Cook County workers receive salaries over $100,000. For career county workers, that means pensions worth millions of dollars over the course of their retirements.

TAGS: 401(k), Cook County, municipal pensions, pensions

Currie to receive 6-figure pension after first year of retirement

By Austin Berg

09/21/2017

The longtime House majority leader will benefit from a sweetener provision that grants massive pension spikes to career lawmakers after one year of retirement.

TAGS: Barbara Flynn Currie, pensions