Nepotistic hires highlight township government waste

By Joe Kaiser

06/18/2018

Two McHenry County highway commissioners hired each other’s sons to township government positions in 2017. Despite concerns of nepotism, these practices are not uncommon in township government.

TAGS: Algonquin Township, Andrew Rosencrans, Bob Miller, consolidation, corruption, David McSweeney, Jim Condon, Leda Drain, local government consolidation, McHenry County, Mike Lesperance, municipal pensions, nepotism, patronage, pensions

Harvey revenue agreement highlights need for pension reform – or municipal bankruptcy

By Joe Tabor

06/08/2018

Illinois’ pension laws are forcing the city of Harvey to pay its creditors through short-term negotiated agreements just to meet payroll.

TAGS: bankruptcy, corruption, harvey, municipal pensions, pensions

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, spiking, teacher salaries, TRS: Teachers’ Retirement System

As city of Springfield sees taxes rise, its population falls

By Joe Kaiser

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

Budget gimmicks explained: Why the new Illinois spending plan is not balanced

By Adam Schuster

06/01/2018

Lawmakers claiming to have passed a balanced budget are relying on a number of common, but deceptive, budget maneuvers.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, 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

Taxpayer victory: General Assembly passes bill restricting golden parachutes for government officials

By Vincent Caruso, Chris Lentino

05/29/2018

Senate Bill 3604 would limit government workers’ ability to collect extravagant severance packages, also known as “golden parachutes,” on their way out of office.

TAGS: Alex Clifford, College of DuPage, Doug Baker, Metra, NIU: Northern Illinois University, pensions, Robert Breuder, salaries, Tom Cullerton