Chicago Teachers Union president threatens strike

07/22/2019

The Chicago Teachers Union is threatening to strike, as negotiations with the city begin to stretch into the coming school year. It would be the union’s third strike in seven years.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Jesse Sharkey, Lori Lightfoot, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, teacher salaries

Illinois state lawmakers among highest paid in nation

07/16/2019

The Illinois General Assembly passed budget that included a $1,600 pay raise for state lawmakers, who already rank among the nation’s highest paid.

TAGS: budget, lawmaker pay, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, taxes

Nearly $2.5B in Illinois public pension payments flow to 70K out-of-state retirees

By Vincent Caruso

06/25/2019

Florida is the top destination for Illinois retirees collecting a public pension.

TAGS: income tax, municipal pensions, outmigration, pension guarantee, pensions, taxes

Pension costs push Metro East property taxes up, as population shrinks

06/17/2019

Residents in Illinois’ Metro East area are fleeing a growing property tax burden, fueling regional population loss.

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

Lightfoot must pursue pension reform, reasonable labor contracts to fix Chicago’s budget

By Bill Reveille

06/17/2019

Persistent budget deficits, enormous and growing pension obligations, a high debt burden and labor contract negotiations all await Lori Lightfoot as she settles into office.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, Chicago City Council, Lori Lightfoot, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions

Pritzker budget lifts cap on pension spiking

By Vincent Caruso

06/05/2019

A provision included in Illinois’ previous budget aimed to protect state taxpayers from end-of-career salary spiking in local school districts. The budget proposal en route to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk would repeal that protection.

TAGS: budget, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions

Moody’s report: Illinois one of two states unprepared for next recession

By Adam Schuster

05/21/2019

Financial stress testing shows Illinois and New Jersey are the most unprepared for the next recession. Both states lack sufficient rainy day funds and struggle with large pension debt.

TAGS: debt, Moody's Investor Service, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, recession, revenue

Without pension reform, progressive income tax amendment guarantees tax hikes on Illinois’ middle class

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

05/21/2019

The current progressive income tax proposal would fail to pay down the state's unfunded liability while damaging Illinois' economy.

TAGS: fair tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, progressive income tax, property taxes, taxes

Chicago’s new mayor inherits taxpayers facing biggest public debts of nation’s top 10 cities

05/18/2019

Each Chicago taxpayer is on the hook for $119,110 worth of unfunded state, city, county and other local government debt. Many of the pensions driving those debts become Lori Lightfoot’s problem on Monday.

TAGS: Chicago, debt, Lori Lightfoot, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, Rahm Emanuel, taxes

Illinois’ wealthiest bureaucrats want this bill dead

By Austin Berg

05/16/2019

There should be no compromise with those who are looking out for their own bottom line above the good of the state.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, school district consolidation, school district efficiency, taxes

municipal pensions

Chicago Teachers Union president threatens strike

Illinois state lawmakers among highest paid in nation

Nearly $2.5B in Illinois public pension payments flow to 70K out-of-state retirees

Pension costs push Metro East property taxes up, as population shrinks

Lightfoot must pursue pension reform, reasonable labor contracts to fix Chicago’s budget

Pritzker budget lifts cap on pension spiking

Moody’s report: Illinois one of two states unprepared for next recession

Without pension reform, progressive income tax amendment guarantees tax hikes on Illinois’ middle class

Chicago’s new mayor inherits taxpayers facing biggest public debts of nation’s top 10 cities

Illinois’ wealthiest bureaucrats want this bill dead

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