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Illinois lawmakers propose 59 new unfunded mandates for local governments

By Benjamin VanMetre
03/30/2015
State lawmakers should first focus on ways in which they can give local governments more autonomy, rather than adding to the hundreds of unfunded mandates municipalities currently face.

TAGS: IML: Illinois Municipal League, local government

Is pension reform possible in Illinois?

03/10/2015
The plaintiffs in the SB 1 case are asking the court to do something extraordinary: to hold, in effect, that pension benefits should receive stronger protection than any other type of constitutional right.

TAGS: COLA: cost of living adjustment, Illinois Constitution, Illinois Supreme Court, IML: Illinois Municipal League, Kanerva v. Weem, Lisa Madigan, Senate Bill 1

Brief details crushing weight of pension costs for Illinois municipalities

By Benjamin VanMetre
01/15/2015
More than 20 police and 10 fire pension funds were less than 30 percent funded in 2012.

TAGS: budget, IML: Illinois Municipal League, municipal government, taxes

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Center for Poverty Solutions / Research Report

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education


Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

View Report

Report Archive

Budget + Tax / Your Story

Allan Luzbetak

Labor / Policy Point

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

By Paul Kersey
06/19/2014
Illinois Policy In the News

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016

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