Illinois mandates off-year municipal elections, but they result in lower voter turnout that gives powerful special interest groups more influence and diminishes local voters’ concerns.
Illinois pensions 101: Paltry contributions yield million-dollar payouts
Across all five state retirement systems, typical career workers pay for about 5% of the cost of their pension benefits. They receive an average of $1.7 million to $3.6 million.
Where you can and can’t buy recreational marijuana in Illinois
Many Illinois municipalities have voted to ban or restrict marijuana sales when it becomes legal for sale. Here’s a list of where pot will, won’t and might be legally bought.
61 Vernon Hills village employees earn more than $100K
More than half of the full-time village workforce takes home total compensation over $100,000 annually.
East St. Louis police and fire pension fund crises risk state intervention
East St. Louis’ police and fire pension funds experienced large funding shortfalls in 2016, putting the city at risk of revenue garnishment from the state comptroller’s office.
Elgin residents facing multitude of tax and fee hikes
A 2018 budget proposal for Elgin includes a new gas tax, an increase in water and sewer rates, and other tax hikes.
Decatur passes budget out of balance by $3 million
As its population and tax base erode, the city of Decatur passed a budget for fiscal year 2018 more than $3 million in the red.
Palatine passes property tax hike to pay for pensions
Palatine homeowners will see higher property tax bills in order to pay for higher local pension costs, as well as a dip in state funding.
More than 250 Peoria city employees receive over $150K in compensation
Lucrative compensation for government workers stands in stark contrast to the city’s budgetary struggles and a flagging local economy.
Oswego hikes taxes on fuel and prepared food and beverages
The new taxes are planned to pay for road maintenance and improvement as well as general use. As is the case in communities throughout Illinois, pension costs are crowding out other spending in Oswego.