Just 20% of AFSCME Council 31 spending goes toward representing workers

By Mailee Smith

07/17/2018

The union’s own reporting shows only 20 percent of its overall spending is on “representational activities,” which should cause members to question what they are paying for.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Janus v. AFSCME, spending

Fitch keeps Illinois’ credit above junk but negative outlook remains

By John Klingner, Evelyn Hussey

07/20/2017

Of the three major ratings agencies, only Moody’s Investors Service has indicated that Illinois lawmakers’ lack of long-term solutions for reducing that debt is a severe problem.

TAGS: bonds, budget, credit rating, debt, Fitch Ratings, Moody's Investor Service, Standard & Poor's

Moody’s right, S&P wrong on Illinois budget

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

07/13/2017

Illinois’ bond rating may not be junk, but the state’s finances still are.

TAGS: bonds, credit rating, Moody's Investor Service, Standard & Poor's

S&P downgrades Illinois credit rating closer to junk

By John Klingner

10/04/2016

The ratings agency also warns that another downgrade could be coming if the state doesn’t enact serious reforms to improve its fiscal condition.

TAGS: credit rating, pensions, Standard & Poor's

Fitch downgrades Chicago, cites Illinois Supreme Court ruling on pension reform

By John Klingner

03/28/2016

The city’s rating from Fitch is now just one notch above junk status.

TAGS: Chicago, credit rating, municipal pensions, pensions

Illinois corruption watch: January 2016

02/12/2016

In January several instances of corruption, influence peddling and mismanagement across Illinois were brought to light, from the College of DuPage’s expense-account mismanagement, to Chicago’s red-light-camera bribery case.

Fitch cuts Illinois credit rating, cites budget gridlock, massive debt and sluggish growth

By Austin Berg

10/19/2015

The Illinois General Assembly is refusing to fix Illinois’ structural problems. Downgrades are the consequence.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, Fitch Ratings

All three major credit rating agencies declare CPS bonds ‘junk’ grade

By John Klingner

08/17/2015

Another credit downgrade for the Chicago Board of Education’s debt demonstrates the urgency of immediate fiscal reforms.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, credit rating

Fitch ‘junk’ downgrade for Chicago Board of Education highlights fantasy bond ratings

07/28/2015

Chicago will continue to slide down the ratings table.

TAGS: Chicago

Trashed again: Fitch joins Moody’s in declaring Chicago Board of Education credit ‘junk’

By John Klingner

07/28/2015

If the district can’t get its finances in order, expect more teacher layoffs, school closings and large tax increases on Chicagoans.

Better Business Bureau

Just 20% of AFSCME Council 31 spending goes toward representing workers

Fitch keeps Illinois’ credit above junk but negative outlook remains

Moody’s right, S&P wrong on Illinois budget

S&P downgrades Illinois credit rating closer to junk

Fitch downgrades Chicago, cites Illinois Supreme Court ruling on pension reform

Illinois corruption watch: January 2016

Fitch cuts Illinois credit rating, cites budget gridlock, massive debt and sluggish growth

All three major credit rating agencies declare CPS bonds ‘junk’ grade

Fitch ‘junk’ downgrade for Chicago Board of Education highlights fantasy bond ratings

Trashed again: Fitch joins Moody’s in declaring Chicago Board of Education credit ‘junk’

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit Illinois students?

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students