Peoria leaders said they are in ‘survival mode’ and need to take $4 million from this year’s budget to help make pension payments for the next two years. The mayor calls for state action to fix the pension debt crisis.
Nearly two-thirds of Peoria property taxes consumed by pensions
The average Peoria household owns nearly $38,000 in state and local pension debt.
Peoria pensions causing police, fire layoffs as property tax hike sought
Emergency services have been cut in Peoria because public pension costs are growing. Voters will be asked whether a property tax hike should fix the problem.
COVID-19 economic hit forces Peoria to cut 45 city jobs, offer buyouts
Peoria’s financial problems grew critical from the coronavirus, but the long-term threat of pension debt will remain even after more severe cuts are made.
Pritzker claims statewide economic growth, but these Illinois metro areas are shedding jobs
Despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker touting growth in “every major region,” Illinois shed jobs in three metropolitan areas and lagged the national average in seven more.
Peoria residents face new property tax fee devoted entirely to pensions
The city of Peoria is adding a new fee to residents’ property tax bills to help shore up the city’s public safety pensions.
Peoria cuts police and fire, moves toward new property fee to pay for pensions
The city of Peoria’s decision to eliminate 22 firefighter and 16 police positions came after 27 layoffs earlier this year. Both decisions and a proposed $50-$300 fee are because pension spending is crowding out services.
Moody’s: Illinois pension debt-to-revenue ratio hits all-time high for any state
According to a new report by Moody’s Investors Service, Illinois’ unfunded pension liabilities equaled 601 percent of state revenues in 2017, a U.S. record.
Illinois’ Gordian knot: Pensions, insolvency and the ‘b word’
If lawmakers continue to balk at building the tools necessary to reform pensions, bankruptcy will be the only way out for communities across the state.
Crowding out: Pension pressure leads to layoffs in Peoria
The city of Peoria, Illinois sent layoff notices to 27 employees in an effort to fill a budget hole caused by growing pension costs.