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

Highest paid superintendent in Illinois history fired for ‘pay padding’

By Vincent Caruso

11/01/2018

Following an investigation into allegations of “pay padding,” among other offenses, Calumet school district board members dismissed Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent less than a week before retirement.

TAGS: Calumet School District 155, education, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, Troy Paraday

Voters near Springfield face new property tax to pay for pensions

By Vincent Caruso

10/29/2018

Voters in the village of Jerome, on Springfield’s southwest edge, will decide whether to adopt an additional property tax to pay for public pension contributions.

TAGS: ballot referendums, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Moline proposes hiking city’s already-high property taxes

10/23/2018

City officials suggest Moline will face a budget deficit without a property tax hike – which would only worsen the property tax plight of area homeowners.

TAGS: Moline, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Lake County ballot question lets voters sound off on statewide property tax proposal

By Vincent Caruso

10/23/2018

An idea to fix Illinois’ fiscal woes with a statewide property tax made headlines in May. Voters in Lake County will be asked whether state lawmakers should have the power to impose such a tax.

TAGS: Lake County, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

DuPage County voters face ballot question on statewide property tax hike

By Vincent Caruso

10/23/2018

Three economists made headlines in May by suggesting Illinois levy a new, statewide property tax. DuPage County voters Nov. 6 can declare their stance on whether that tax should be an option.

TAGS: ballot referendums, DuPage County, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

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

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

6 former library employees have taken home over $1M in pension benefits

By Austin Berg

10/02/2018

Large pension payouts in the face of flat incomes for taxpayers raise questions of fairness.

TAGS: IMRF: Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

St. Clair County approves 5 percent property tax levy hike

By Vincent Caruso

09/25/2018

The county board approved a $3.5 million property tax levy increase for 2019.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, St. Clair County, taxes

municipal pensions

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

Highest paid superintendent in Illinois history fired for ‘pay padding’

Voters near Springfield face new property tax to pay for pensions

Moline proposes hiking city’s already-high property taxes

Lake County ballot question lets voters sound off on statewide property tax proposal

DuPage County voters face ballot question on statewide property tax hike

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

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

6 former library employees have taken home over $1M in pension benefits

St. Clair County approves 5 percent property tax levy hike

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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