Taxpayers funded 84% of public employee pensions in 2020

By Patrick Andriesen

07/02/2022

Taxpayer contributions accounted for 56% of the money that flowed into Illinois’ pension funds in 2000. Two decades later, residents funded 84% of public employees’ retirements, yet pension debt is still growing.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, municipal pensions, pension reform, pensions, Springfield

Taxpayer pension costs exceeded Illinois projections by $13.7 billion since 2013

By Justin Carlson

06/17/2022

Unrealistic assumptions and missed investment returns have meant Illinois taxpayers paid $13.7 billion more for public pensions than state leaders projected five years earlier. Unless the estimates improve, taxpayers will pay an extra $21.3 billion during the next decade.

TAGS: debt, JB Pritzker, pension reform, pensions

Poll: bipartisan supermajorities of Illinois voters support constitutional pension reform

By Patrick Andriesen

06/09/2022

Polling showed 61% of Illinois voters would approve an amendment to the state constitution changing future pension benefits while guaranteeing those already earned by public employees. Taxes remain Illinoisans’ top concern.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, Illinois Constitution, pension reform, pensions

Pritzker: No ‘silver bullet’ for pension crisis

By Dylan Sharkey

06/08/2022

Gov. J.B Pritzker touted his record on pensions, claiming his administration reduced pension debt. He cites an analysis of state pension data but fails to mention its conclusion suggesting reform.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, pensions

Disgraced Illinois lawmaker collected $130K pension while awaiting prison sentence

By Patrick Andriesen

06/02/2022

The former Illinois House assistant majority leader received a taxpayer-funded pension worth $129,000 between his retirement in 2019 after being arrested for bribery by federal authorities and his conviction in 2022.

TAGS: corruption, Luis Arroyo, pensions

Chicago casino revenue doesn’t address 91% of city pension debt

By Dylan Sharkey

05/31/2022

The Chicago City Council approved a casino development in the River West neighborhood. The generated revenue will exclusively pay for pension debt, but only an estimated 9% of what the city needs.

TAGS: casino, Chicago, pension reform

Fact check: Pritzker budget takes from college students, gives to pensions

By Dylan Sharkey

05/16/2022

Gov. J.B Pritzker has touted his record on higher education funding, even hinting many students should be given free tuition, but pensions are driving up tuition and eating state university funding. Pritzker refuses to tame that beast.

TAGS: college tuition, education spending, SURS: State Universities Retirement System

Vermont is the latest state to reform pensions with union support

By Justin Carlson

05/13/2022

Vermont and other blue states have recent pension reforms including reductions in cost of living adjustments. What makes Illinois different?

TAGS: government unions, pension reform, Vermont

Illinois college students pay 49% higher tuition to prop up massive pension spending

By Patrick Andriesen

04/25/2022

Illinois spends 27% less on higher education than it did in 2007. University pension spending grew by 510% in that time. It doesn’t take a math major to see why tuition has increased 49%.

TAGS: college tuition, pensions, SURS: State Universities Retirement System

Chicago ex-alderman charged with bribery might keep pension

By Ann Miller, Justin Carlson

04/22/2022

Ex-Alderman Danny Solis handed federal prosecutors the top politicians in Chicago and the Statehouse to get out of bribery charges. His deal could let him keep his pension – a ploy too common in Illinois as voters consider Amendment 1’s potential for protecting pension abuse.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Danny Solis, pensions