Pritzker gives $100 million in pay raises to some of the nation’s highest paid state workers

By Adam Schuster

01/15/2019

On his first full day in office, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he will grant costly automatic pay raises to Illinois’ state workers despite a current budget deficit of more than $1 billion.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, budget, JB Pritzker, state worker pay, step and lane

Taxpayer tab totals $98M to keep southwestern Illinois airport open

By Brad Weisenstein

11/05/2018

Local leaders say more passengers will reduce the need for taxpayer money at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. But as traffic rises, so too has the tab for St. Clair County taxpayers.

TAGS: budget, MidAmerica Airport, St. Clair County, taxes

Illinois teacher pension fund requests $400M in additional taxpayer contributions

By Adam Schuster

11/02/2018

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.

TAGS: budget, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, taxes, TRS: Teachers’ Retirement System

Sinkhole city: Financial watchdog again gives Chicago an ‘F’ in finances

By Vincent Caruso

11/02/2018

An annual analysis of Chicago’s finances finds the city’s debt burden continues to weigh heavily on the shoulders of taxpayers.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, Rahm Emanuel, taxes, Truth in Accounting

Village of Rosemont spent more than $64 million on entertainment in 3-year span

By Joe Kaiser

10/25/2018

Despite its residents dealing with a high county and state tax burden, the village of Rosemont has spent millions on frivolous entertainment costs in recent years. Taxpayers shelled out $65,000 for pizza joint.

TAGS: budget, Rosemont, Spending, taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing, waste

Township consolidation referendum to appear on Alton ballots

By Vincent Caruso

10/24/2018

Alton voters will face two referendums that could eliminate government layers at both the township and county levels.

TAGS: ballot referendums, budget, consolidation, taxes, townships

Godfrey voters to choose whether to dissolve township on their November ballots

By Vincent Caruso

10/24/2018

A referendum asking voters whether to dissolve Godfrey Township will appear on ballots Nov. 6.

TAGS: ballot referendums, budget, consolidation, taxes, townships

Pensions, debt push Oak Lawn toward ‘junk’ credit rating

By Vincent Caruso

10/21/2018

The Chicago suburb is facing severe fiscal challenges brought about by its unsustainable pension burden and $75 million in debt – a trend that has become too common among Illinois municipalities.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, municipal pensions, oak lawn, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes

Report: Illinois’ budget health is the worst in the nation

By Adam Schuster

10/17/2018

A new university study ranks Illinois last of all 50 states for fiscal health. Pension reform and spending caps are essential for recovery.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, income tax, mercatus, pensions, taxes

Pension costs ravaging Rockford’s budget as leaders consider police and fire cuts

By Vincent Caruso

10/15/2018

Rising pension costs in Illinois’ fifth-largest city are pushing Rockford near the edge of a fiscal cliff – a fate that officials are looking to reverse with a series of steep public service cuts.

TAGS: budget, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, rockford, taxes