Restrictions on pension spiking a win for Illinois taxpayers By Adam Schuster 06/06/2018 Illinois’ fiscal year 2019 spending plan includes reforms to discourage some irresponsible spending by local governments. TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions, teacher salaries, TRS: Teachers’ Retirement System
As city of Springfield sees taxes rise, its population falls 06/06/2018 With pension debt straining city finances, local politicians have insisted on turning to its declining population for more tax revenue. TAGS: bonds, credit rating, municipal pensions, outmigration, pensions, population, property taxes, Sangamon County, Springfield, taxes
Rhode Island city offers dire warning to Illinois municipalities struggling with pension debt By Joe Tabor 06/06/2018 Central Falls, Rhode Island, filed for bankruptcy largely because of pension debt. If Illinois municipalities can’t meet or lower their pension obligations, they too could face fiscal collapse. TAGS: bankruptcy, harvey, municipal pensions, pensions, spending
Illinois General Assembly passes bill mandating $40,000 minimum salary for teachers By Eddie Damstra 06/04/2018 A bill that would raise the minimum salary for teachers to $40,000 now awaits Gov. Bruce Rauner’s signature. TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions
As Alton shrinks, school district administrator salaries grow By Vincent Caruso 05/30/2018 More than half of local school district administrators earn more than $100,000, and those incomes will get a boost after a recent board decision. TAGS: Alton, consolidation, Madison County, Metro East, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, salaries, school district consolidation, taxes
More than 230 Belleville school district employees earn more than $100K By Vincent Caruso 05/30/2018 Many school district employees’ earnings are more than double that of the typical Belleville household. TAGS: Belleville, Belleville Township School District 201, consolidation, local government consolidation, Metro East, municipal pensions, pensions, salaries, school district consolidation, St. Clair County, teacher salaries
Highland Park school board awards $300,000 severance to departing superintendent By Vincent Caruso 05/25/2018 The excessive severance package comes as a bill curbing golden parachutes sits in the Illinois House of Representatives. TAGS: golden parachute, municipal pensions, pensions, salaries
Decatur’s fiscal bind may lead to police and fire layoffs 05/19/2018 Reductions in state subsidies are one reason for Decatur’s predicament, but long-running pension woes are an even larger source of pain. TAGS: budget, Decatur, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, taxes
Metro East property tax bills making their way to mailboxes By Austin Berg 05/18/2018 Residents of St. Clair and Madison Counties will soon see some of the nation’s most punishing property tax bills. TAGS: collective bargaining, Madison County, Metro East, municipal pensions, pensions, prevailing wage, property taxes, St. Clair County, taxes
Inspector general: Personnel, procedural errors cost Cook County hospital system $165 million in revenue By Eric Kohn 05/18/2018 While the county hospital system loses out on revenue, county payroll and retirement costs continue to climb. TAGS: Cook County, Cook County Health and Hospitals system, municipal pensions, pensions, Toni Preckwinkle