Illinoisans should know lawmakers in the past made big moves to fix the state's worst-in-the-nation pension crisis. It’s politically possible. They just need a little reminder of our history.
Once again proving why the state must amend the Illinois Constitution’s pension clause, the court unanimously ruled in favor of a special perk that inflated union leader pensions to nearly three times the pension of the average worker.
State lawmakers overrode Gov. Rauner’s veto of a bill that allows one former firefighter serving as a Chicago alderman to credit his political salary toward a more lucrative fire pension. The pension boost will also apply to future aldermen with a history of fire department work.
Illinois House members voted to override Gov. Rauner’s veto of a bill that would allow a former firefighter serving as a Chicago aldermen to credit his political salary toward a more lucrative fire pension. While just one alderman now qualifies, the bill could extend the perk to more in the future.
A pension plan pushed by one Illinois think tank fails to reform the state’s broken pension system and risks repeating costly mistakes. Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker shouldn’t be fooled and should instead endorse meaningful, lasting reform.
The average six-figure retiree contributed just over $160,000 toward their own pension over the course of their career.
The city of Peoria’s decision to eliminate 22 firefighter and 16 police positions came after 27 layoffs earlier this year. Both decisions and a proposed $50-$300 fee are because pension spending is crowding out services.
For the second time, Arizona voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing changes to unearned future pension benefits.
Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a bill to allow former firefighters serving as Chicago aldermen to credit their political salary toward a more lucrative firefighter pension. It could come back during veto session.
Schaumburg’s village board may have an opportunity to cut its property tax levy, but the village faces a challenge controlling its pension costs.
Former lawmakers receive generous benefits from the state’s worst-run retirement fund.
The share of Alton’s annual property tax levy going to pension payments has more than doubled over the past decade.
The pension fund’s request for $4.8 billion in taxpayer contributions for the next budget year, a 10 percent increase from the previous year, highlights the need for pension reform in Illinois.
Overly optimistic expectations about investment returns mean Illinois is understating its pension debt. That could lead to a nasty surprise for future taxpayers.