Pension payouts collected by the Belleville area’s top-earning school retirees underscore the need to reform Illinois’ unaffordable pension system.

Pension costs now consume nearly 70 percent of the city’s annual property tax levy. It may not be enough.

The average six-figure retiree contributed just over $160,000 toward their own pension over the course of their career.

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.