Because of pensions, Chicago pays $157 for $100 of payroll
Because of pensions, Chicago pays $157 for $100 of payroll
A history of financial mismanagement has left the city putting in 57% of covered payroll for pensions, but even that’s not enough.
REPORTS
4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap
Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective
3 problems with Lightfoot’s Chicago budget, starting with an unnecessary property tax hike
Pension apocalypse? COVID-19 exposes long-running fragility of Illinois public pensions
Illinois public services being cut to pay unsustainable pension cost
Illinois’ top 50 state pensioners averaged $437,000 each last year
Illinois’ top 50 state pensioners averaged $437,000 each last year
184 pensioners in Illinois’ five state-run systems received enough in 2025 to put them in the top 5% of U.S. income earners.
Pritzker’s record: He added $300 million last year to Chicago pension woes
Pritzker’s record: He added $300 million last year to Chicago pension woes
The governor signed a sweetener for city police and firefighters that’s estimated to add over $11 billion in accrued liabilities by 2055.
Illinois teacher pensions 7th-worst funded in U.S.
Illinois teacher pensions 7th-worst funded in U.S.
Despite record high contributions from the state, the Teachers’ Retirement System has less than 50 cents on hand for every dollar owed.
Pritzker’s proposed budget shorts pensions by $5.4 billion
Pritzker’s proposed budget shorts pensions by $5.4 billion
Actuaries say Illinois needs to put in $17 billion a year to fix the plans, but the 2027 plan calls for far less.
More schools double-dipping taxpayers for teacher pension costs
More schools double-dipping taxpayers for teacher pension costs
Many school districts cover teachers’ required pension contribution of 9% of their salary — putting that burden on taxpayers.
Retired state employee backs pension buyouts for Chicago police, fire
Retired state employee backs pension buyouts for Chicago police, fire
75% of property taxes raised for public safety are going to pensions instead of services.
In Cook County, 75% of police, fire property taxes go to pensions
In Cook County, 75% of police, fire property taxes go to pensions
Outside Chicago, only a fourth of municipal property taxes collected this year for police and fire are going to services.
Record-high Illinois university workers opt out of pensions
Record-high Illinois university workers opt out of pensions
A record share of Illinois university employees opt out of pensions for a 401(k)-style plan, lawmakers should give other state employees the same flexibility.
New bill offers police and firefighters pension buyout option
New bill offers police and firefighters pension buyout option
Giving police and fire retirees a pension cash-out option would help reduce long-term pension debt.
The good and bad in Pritzker pension proposals
The good and bad in Pritzker pension proposals
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced plans to handle Illinois’ pension crisis. Some build on proven reforms while others could delay real progress.
Three-peat: Illinois’ pension system last place for 3rd year in a row
Three-peat: Illinois’ pension system last place for 3rd year in a row
Illinois state pensions have less money to pay retirees than any state according to Equable Institute. It’s the third year in a row for Illinois coming in last.