Moody’s hits Chicago with credit downgrade, cites pensions
Moody’s hits Chicago with credit downgrade, cites pensions
Chicago’s credit rating trails only Detroit among major U.S. cities.
Quote of the day, February 27
Quote of the day, February 27
Friends in low places
Friends in low places
Federal court declines to rule on whether pension clause protects Chicago health benefits
Federal court declines to rule on whether pension clause protects Chicago health benefits
Now Illinois state courts will decide whether it is constitutional to the city to reduce retiree health benefits.
Lessons from Illinois: Pension obligation bonds only delay the day of reckoning
Lessons from Illinois: Pension obligation bonds only delay the day of reckoning
Illinois resorted to POBs because pension costs were quickly increasing. But instead of reforming the system, political leaders chose to paper over the problem with debt.
Quote of the day, February 26
Quote of the day, February 26
Chicago Police Department’s ‘black site’ raises need for greater police transparency
Chicago Police Department’s ‘black site’ raises need for greater police transparency
Lawmakers must ensure law-enforcement officers aren’t trampling the civil rights of Chicagoans.
Rauner budget would keep funding steady for more than a third of state agencies
Rauner budget would keep funding steady for more than a third of state agencies
Total proposed appropriations for more than one-third of state agencies – 37 departments out of nearly 100 – would change by 5 percent or less.
Quote of the day, February 25
Quote of the day, February 25
Rosemont raises the curtain on $1M deal with Garth Brooks
Rosemont raises the curtain on $1M deal with Garth Brooks
How village officials used public money to pad the pockets of one of the most successful artists of all time, and tried to keep it a secret.
Right to Work is surrounding Illinois
Right to Work is surrounding Illinois
As neighbors and regional peers move to foster business growth, Illinois is being left behind.
Quote of the day, February 24
Quote of the day, February 24
Kinnikinnick school board keeps teacher contract under wraps
Kinnikinnick school board keeps teacher contract under wraps
The taxpayers footing the bill will be left in the dark until after the contract is finalized.
Amid dues hikes, AFSCME opt-outs left in the dark on union spending
Amid dues hikes, AFSCME opt-outs left in the dark on union spending
If people are forced to pay money to unions, they should at the very least have easy access to a detailed account of how their money is spent.