Harvey revenue agreement highlights need for pension reform – or municipal bankruptcy
Harvey revenue agreement highlights need for pension reform – or municipal bankruptcy
Illinois’ pension laws are forcing the city of Harvey to pay its creditors through short-term negotiated agreements just to meet payroll.
By Joe Tabor
Restrictions on pension spiking a win for Illinois taxpayers
Restrictions on pension spiking a win for Illinois taxpayers
Illinois’ fiscal year 2019 spending plan includes reforms to discourage some irresponsible spending by local governments.
By Adam Schuster
Rhode Island city offers dire warning to Illinois municipalities struggling with pension debt
Rhode Island city offers dire warning to Illinois municipalities struggling with pension debt
Central Falls, Rhode Island, filed for bankruptcy largely because of pension debt. If Illinois municipalities can’t meet or lower their pension obligations, they too could face fiscal collapse.
By Joe Tabor
Retired police official to keep $84K pension despite sexual assault of a minor
Retired police official to keep $84K pension despite sexual assault of a minor
A criminal sexual assault conviction will not interfere with a retired suburban deputy police chief’s $84,000 annual pension.
By Vincent Caruso
Round Lake Park’s police pension crisis could result in state intervention
Round Lake Park’s police pension crisis could result in state intervention
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.
By Brendan Bakala
Harvey pension crisis leads to mass layoffs
Harvey pension crisis leads to mass layoffs
Police, firemen and other government workers will be laid off to cover pension costs.
By Adam Schuster
Chicago Park District pension reform ruled unconstitutional
Chicago Park District pension reform ruled unconstitutional
The ruling will likely mean higher taxes for Chicagoans.
By Adam Schuster
Alton in negotiations to sell off city sewer system and water treatment plant to pay for pensions
Alton in negotiations to sell off city sewer system and water treatment plant to pay for pensions
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.
By Brendan Bakala
Mundelein fire department dispute shows weight of growing pension costs
Mundelein fire department dispute shows weight of growing pension costs
Village officials are trying to control expenses by cutting staff as growing pension costs continue to gobble up local tax dollars.
By Brendan Bakala
Broken pension system puts Schaumburg taxpayers on the hook for bad investments
Broken pension system puts Schaumburg taxpayers on the hook for bad investments
The defined-benefit pension system threatens the retirement security of government workers, as well as the pocketbooks of overburdened taxpayers.
By Austin Berg
Danville officials propose monthly fee of $22-85 for pensions in addition to property tax hike
Danville officials propose monthly fee of $22-85 for pensions in addition to property tax hike
A new city proposal would have owners of Danville property pay fees of up to $1,020 a year just for public safety pensions.
By Brendan Bakala
Cook County retirees to outnumber active employees in 2 years
Cook County retirees to outnumber active employees in 2 years
Recently released data shows retirees outpacing active employees, adding pressure to an already stressed pension fund.
By Chris Lentino
More than 2,200 Cook County workers receive salaries over $100,000
More than 2,200 Cook County workers receive salaries over $100,000
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.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Currie to receive 6-figure pension after first year of retirement
Currie to receive 6-figure pension after first year of retirement
The longtime House majority leader will benefit from a sweetener provision that grants massive pension spikes to career lawmakers after one year of retirement.
By Austin Berg