Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Crain's Chicago Business: Chicago lifts the veil on its Amazon HQ2 bid
“Star Trek’s” Bill Shatner starred in one promotional video, promising that a company born in a garage and a city reborn after a fire could “talk reinvention together.” Another video featured Chicagoans who immigrated from abroad, each saying in their own language that they could relate to Alexa and other high-tech creations. A remarkable letter signed by every governmental leader of consequence here promised nearly $2.3 billion in incentives.
Crain's Chicago Business: This 4-letter word hides a $73 billion unfunded state liability
Illinois courts have ruled that public retiree health care benefits, like pension benefits, cannot be impaired. Unlike pensions, however, nothing is set aside and invested to cover that future expense. That’s called a “pay-go” liability. The state just pays claims as they come in. Accountants report retiree health insurance liabilities as “other post-employment benefits”—OPEBs.
Crain's Chicago Business: Sweet home Chicago sours as 156 residents leave daily
In Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, the three areas with a triple-digit daily exodus, people are fleeing at a greater rate than just a few years earlier. Soaring home prices and high local taxes are pushing local residents out and scaring off potential movers from other parts of the country.
Elgin Courier-News: Geneva teachers to see average 3.9-percent annual pay hike under 5-year deal approved by school board after strike
Geneva District 304 School Board members voted Friday to approve a new teachers contract that includes annual pay raises averaging about 3.92 percent over the duration of the five-year deal.
Entry level teachers will benefit the most, seeing a 14.5 percent increase in pay over five years and a starting salary that will go from $41,705 to $47,756.
Park Ridge Herald-Advocate: Ex-Rosemont sergeant — charged with armed robberies in Park Ridge and Norridge — will seek pension, attorney says
A former Rosemont Public Safety sergeant, who was facing the potential loss of his job due to his September arrest on armed robbery charges, has applied to receive a pension from the village, his attorney said.
Edward J. Karas, 40, is seeking a non-duty-related disability pension following his recent departure from the public safety department, said attorney Richard Blass, who is representing Karas in his pension petition and criminal case.
Daily Herald: Palatine library district seeks tax increase for building projects, other needs
Palatine Public Library District voters will be asked to approve a property tax increase that would generate extra annual income for building upgrades and other needs.
Library board members this week approved placing a referendum question on the April 2 ballot seeking permission to boost the annual property tax levy 29 percent, from 27 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 35 cents. Officials said an owner of a home with a median fair market value of $266,000 could be expected to pay about $52 extra in taxes annually to the district.
Bloomington Pantagraph: Normal may nearly double mayor's salary
Normal’s next mayor may be able to live comfortably on what he or she is paid by the town.
The position will pay $32,000 per year starting May 1, 2021, pending Normal City Council approval Monday — a big jump from the current $18,000.