With economic challenges driven by the coronavirus ahead, Illinois finds itself missing an important financial tool.
Illinois pensions 101: Paltry contributions yield million-dollar payouts
Across all five state retirement systems, typical career workers pay for about 5% of the cost of their pension benefits. They receive an average of $1.7 million to $3.6 million.
More Illinoisans on food stamps this Thanksgiving, 50K recipients will soon need jobs
This Thanksgiving, about 17,500 more Illinoisans will be using food stamps. By New Year’s, about 50,000 Cook County recipients must find jobs or lose benefits.
2 graphics show why Illinois’ social services and taxpayers are getting stiffed
Government worker retirement costs and interest on state retirement debt are squeezing out funding for social service providers and taxpayer relief.
Illinois’ $204B debt crowding out payment for social services
Illinois will spend $1 billion more on annual debt payments than it will on human services in fiscal year 2017.
What Rauner can do to reform social services in Illinois
There is clearly no lack of commitment aimed at supporting those in need here in Illinois. The question is how to do a better job of it.