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Champaign News-Gazette: Addressing the pension mess
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has assigned groups to find ways to make a dent in the shortfall. Consolidation and asset transfers are two things being considered at the moment.
The new administration of Gov. J.B. Pritzker is knee-deep in financial problems, but none are so serious as the pension underfunding issues that confront both the state and hundreds of local units of government.
The cumulative $185.2 billion in unfunded liabilities between local communities’ fire and police pension funds and the state’s pensions for public employees is suffocating.
Crain's Chicago Business: The depressing message in Pritzker's payroll-padding plan
While it’s been a busy news season, with charges of corruption dominating the headlines and mayoral debate, I’ve been puzzled by the lack of attention paid to the shocking announcement that our new governor, J.B. Pritzker, will double the salaries of 20 of his top hires using his own funds.
Of all the strange things that I have ever seen in government, this the one with the most potential to spark serious corruption. Transparency, quite frankly, is the least of the problems with Pritzker’s idea. Here are the questions we—all of us—should be asking:
State Journal-Register: Peoria, Normal already have Tobacco 21 ordinance
Some central Illinois cities have already banned the sale of tobacco to anyone under 21 — a fact that advocates point to as they try to pass a law to make that apply statewide.
In Illinois, at least 30 communities have passed ordinances to raise the age to buy tobacco products to 21. Peoria, Normal and Washington are the only central Illinois areas to increase the age. The rest have been in Chicago or the suburbs.
Chicago Tribune: Optimism returns to Normal as electric truck startup Rivian gains traction
When the Mitsubishi plant closed in July 2015 after years of dwindling production, the mood in downstate Normal was decidedly somber. The sprawling factory, once the city’s largest employer, went dark, leaving 1,100 people out of work and many fearing it would end up as a massive hole in the ground.
More than a year passed without a buyer, and a liquidator was preparing to sell the factory for scrap.
Chicago Sun-Times: 19 people framed by corrupt ex-CPD Sgt. Ronald Watts’ team file lawsuits
Nearly 20 people who were framed in drug cases based on bogus arrests by a Chicago police unit that shook down residents of the Ida B. Wells housing projects have filed federal lawsuits against more than a dozen officers, the police department and city.
The lawsuits come months or years after each of the plaintiffs had their convictions thrown out by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office, which has reviewed the claims of dozens of defendants who say they were targeted by officers on a tactical unit headed by former Sgt. Ronald Watts.
Daily Southtown: Village of Lynwood sued over $1.2 million in late insurance payments
A municipal self-insurance association has filed suit against Lynwood, claiming the south suburb is more than $1 million behind on its annual risk management service fees.
The Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association, a cooperative that provides insurance coverage to municipalities that pay into it, sued Lynwood over its failure to pay a judgment entered in August over two-plus years worth of overdue annual contributions.
Northwest Herald: New bill would strip McHenry County Board members' health benefits to pay for chairman's staff
A new bill proposed in Springfield would strip health benefits from McHenry County Board members and create a pool of money for the board chairman to pay for his staff, state Rep. David McSweeney said.
That’s one of the provisions of House Bill 3317, proposed legislation the Barrington Hills Republican filed Friday.
Bloomington Pantagraph: Alderman wants to extend ban on new video gambling machines in Bloomington
Despite fewer video gambling machines and a nearly year-long moratorium on adding any new ones, the city’s 2018 share of revenue from the gambling tax went up $44,726 (6 percent) as more money continues to be wagered each year.
The city’s one-year ban on adding any new video gambling machines is due to expire March 1. The moratorium, proposed by Ward 5 Alderman Joni Painter, won unanimous City Council approval on Feb. 28, 2018.