Pensions consume nearly half of Schaumburg’s property tax levy

By Joe Kaiser

11/08/2018

Schaumburg’s village board may have an opportunity to cut its property tax levy, but the village faces a challenge controlling its pension costs.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, schaumburg, taxes

Vernon Township voters drive their road district to the junkyard

By Vincent Caruso

11/08/2018

Voters just north of Cook County scrap an unnecessary layer of local government and its six-figure commissioner.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, property taxes, taxes

Metro East voters dissolve underwater park district

By Brad Weisenstein

11/07/2018

Taxpayers voted overwhelmingly to dissolve Collinsville Area Recreation District – but the debt the district incurred will burden taxpayers for years.

TAGS: Collinsville, consolidation, local government consolidation, Madison County, Metro East, property taxes

Godfrey voters eliminate township

By Brad Weisenstein

11/07/2018

Godfrey voters decided Nov. 6 to dissolve the village’s duplicative township, a measure that officials had been weighing for nearly 20 years.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, property taxes

Madison County voters eliminate office of recorder of deeds

By Brad Weisenstein

11/07/2018

Madison County voters decided Nov. 6 that responsibilities such as recording land transfers and maintaining deeds no longer justify a separate office for an elected official.

TAGS: local government consolidation, Madison County, pensions, property taxes

Voters want Springfield to shed a little government

By Janelle Cammenga

11/07/2018

Voters said they don’t need a township on top of Springfield city government, but unless Sangamon County leaders act there will be no tax savings.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, property taxes, Springfield, taxes, townships

Nearly 80 percent of Alton property tax levy consumed by pensions

By Vincent Caruso

11/05/2018

The share of Alton’s annual property tax levy going to pension payments has more than doubled over the past decade.

TAGS: Alton, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes

Pension funds’ rosy projections spell trouble for Illinois taxpayers

By Bill Reveille

11/02/2018

Overly optimistic expectations about investment returns mean Illinois is understating its pension debt. That could lead to a nasty surprise for future taxpayers.

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

Sinkhole city: Financial watchdog again gives Chicago an ‘F’ in finances

By Vincent Caruso

11/02/2018

An annual analysis of Chicago’s finances finds the city’s debt burden continues to weigh heavily on the shoulders of taxpayers.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, Rahm Emanuel, taxes, Truth in Accounting

Voters near Springfield face new property tax to pay for pensions

By Vincent Caruso

10/29/2018

Voters in the village of Jerome, on Springfield’s southwest edge, will decide whether to adopt an additional property tax to pay for public pension contributions.

TAGS: ballot referendums, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes