Pension debt limits teacher pay, hurts recruitment in Illinois

By LyLena Estabine

07/09/2025

Money that could help address the teacher shortage is often the first to get cut in pursuit of keeping up with government pension debt. Supporting Illinois teachers will require constitutional pension reform and protecting Tier 2 cost savings.

TAGS: education, pensions

Nearly 32,000 Illinois government pensioners paid $100k-plus

By Patrick Andriesen

07/03/2025

State data shows 31,937 members of Illinois’ five pension systems collected $100,000 a year or more in retirement benefits during 2024. Some got over $500,000. See the full list below.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, pensions, taxes

Illinois pensioners earn nearly $25K more retired than those working to support them

By Patrick Andriesen

06/26/2025

The average retired career state employee in Illinois was paid $93,558 in pension benefits last year. That’s $24,538 more than the average Illinoisan working to pay for those retirees.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, pensions, taxes

Figure out if there’s a problem before boosting Illinois pensions

By LyLena Estabine

03/11/2025

Without careful evaluation of whether Illinois’ pensions for newer employees are running afoul of federal rules or what the penalties would be, spending $78 million from the state’s budget is premature and wasteful.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, pensions, taxes

Felon Madigan should repay taxpayers nearly $600K for public pension

02/13/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan was convicted of misusing his public office for his own power and profit. Not only should his public pension be halted, he should repay the nearly $600,000 taxpayers already paid the felon.

TAGS: corruption, Mike Madigan, pensions

Madigan collects $158K while facing federal corruption trial in Chicago

By Patrick Andriesen

01/29/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan collected a pension worth $158,000 in 2024 while facing a federal corruption trial in Chicago. Depending on the verdict, taxpayers could be on the hook for another $1 million to cover his remaining benefits.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, pensions

Digital licenses, shampoo bottles, $15 wage: Illinois’ new laws for 2025

By Dylan Sharkey

01/01/2025

New Years’ Day means hundreds of new laws on the books, including one allowing residents to get a digital version of their driver’s license.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, pensions, property taxes

Southwest suburban Cook County voters to take up pension reform, key state issues

By Dylan Sharkey

12/27/2024

Voters in Lemont Township are taking up the pension crisis, gerrymandering and unfunded mandates. The township voted to put three questions on the April 1 ballot to let state leaders know they expect progress on the issues.

TAGS: pensions, property taxes

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s eventual pension payout could exceed $5M

By Bryce Hill

12/03/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pensions are worth an estimated $3.8 million after only four years as a teacher and one term as mayor. It could go even higher, depending on his next job moves.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, pensions

First Illinois voters to be asked overwhelmingly back public pension reform

By Patrick Andriesen

11/05/2024

Barrington Township became the first local government in Illinois to back changing the Illinois Constitution so public pensions can be brought under control. While essentially an opinion poll, the overwhelming approval shows elected leaders must address this issue.

TAGS: pensions, taxes

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...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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