East St. Louis police pension fund calls for state intercept of $1.8M, following fire pension demands
East St. Louis police pension fund calls for state intercept of $1.8M, following fire pension demands
East St. Louis already faces a $2.2 million state funding diversion for its firefighters pension fund. Now the police pension board is demanding $1.79 million the city owes that fund.
By Brad Weisenstein
Illinois’ $241B pension debt still worst in nation despite record income tax hike
Illinois’ $241B pension debt still worst in nation despite record income tax hike
A new report shows Illinois’ unfunded pension debt liability remained highest in the nation despite the 2017 income tax hike.
By Adam Schuster
Peoria residents face new property tax fee devoted entirely to pensions
Peoria residents face new property tax fee devoted entirely to pensions
The city of Peoria is adding a new fee to residents’ property tax bills to help shore up the city’s public safety pensions.
Local pension bailout would make Illinoisans’ income tax bills rise as fast as their property taxes
Local pension bailout would make Illinoisans’ income tax bills rise as fast as their property taxes
Bailouts reward bad behavior. Reform rewards residents. Lawmakers should bend toward the latter.
By Austin Berg
East St. Louis faces interception of state funds for $2.2M pension debt
East St. Louis faces interception of state funds for $2.2M pension debt
The southwestern Illinois city faces high crime and poverty rates, as well as a $5.5 million budget deficit. Now, $2.2 million owed to its firefighters pension threatens to halt the flow of state funds.
By Brad Weisenstein
Disgraced former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis still receiving $95,000 public pension
Disgraced former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis still receiving $95,000 public pension
The FBI detailed sex, drugs and corruption involving former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis, but he is still receiving a nearly $95,000 public pension after cooperating with their probe.
City of Springfield needs $269M in tax hikes to fund pensions
City of Springfield needs $269M in tax hikes to fund pensions
The city of Springfield needs nearly $270 million more in revenue to meet the required contributions to its pension funds for retired police officers and firefighters.
State bailout of local pension funds would bring Illinois pension debt to $200B
State bailout of local pension funds would bring Illinois pension debt to $200B
Bailing out local governments’ underwater pension funds would exacerbate Illinois’ pension debt, inviting tax hikes on middle class Illinoisans.
By Adam Schuster
Nearly 40% of education spending consumed by pension costs
Nearly 40% of education spending consumed by pension costs
Growing pension costs for retired educators are quickly crowding the classroom out of Illinois budgets.
By Adam Schuster
Cash-strapped Illinois counties chase down unpaid tickets from 1980s
Cash-strapped Illinois counties chase down unpaid tickets from 1980s
Illinois counties are hiring debt collectors to track down people who may owe money for older, unpaid traffic tickets. One woman accused of owing money would have been just 14 when the ticket was issued.
651 new Illinois public pensioners average $1.3M in estimated retirement benefits
651 new Illinois public pensioners average $1.3M in estimated retirement benefits
Newly retired government workers’ lifetime pension benefits will far exceed what they contributed toward their own retirements
By Adam Schuster
Illinois pension buyout program delivers just 3% of projected savings
Illinois pension buyout program delivers just 3% of projected savings
A plan that allowed some pension enrollees to cash in early on their earned retirement benefits in exchange for curbing future benefits has so far generated only 3% of its expected savings.
By Vincent Caruso
Nearly $2.5B in Illinois public pension payments flow to 70K out-of-state retirees
Nearly $2.5B in Illinois public pension payments flow to 70K out-of-state retirees
Florida is the top destination for Illinois retirees collecting a public pension.
By Vincent Caruso