Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015

By Michael Lucci

03/25/2016

Census data are sounding a warning signal that Chicago and Illinois policy leaders don’t necessarily want to hear.

Moody’s: Chicago pension-reform ruling means increased financial pressure, rapidly growing pension debt

By John Klingner

03/25/2016

The Illinois Supreme Court’s overturning of Chicago’s modest pension reform means Chicago faces higher pension contributions, rapidly growing pension debt and an increased risk of total insolvency for its pension funds.

TAGS: debt, pensions

6 reasons why Chicago taxes will keep going up

By Ted Dabrowski

03/24/2016

Even with the city’s record tax hike and massive borrowing, lack of reform means Chicagoans can expect to open up their wallets yet again.

Illinois corruption watch: February 2016

03/07/2016

Illinoisans’ confidence in their state government is the lowest of residents of any state in the nation, and corruption stories from February 2016 don’t help.

Chicago Teachers Union’s threatened April 1 strike date isn’t legal

By Jeffrey Schwab

03/03/2016

The Chicago Teachers Union has threatened to strike as early as April 1 over Chicago Public Schools’ announced plan to stop paying a portion of teachers’ required contributions to their pension fund. Under Illinois labor law, however, CTU cannot legally strike before mid- to late-May.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

11 things you need to know about Chicago teacher pensions

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

03/01/2016

Pension holidays, steep increases in teachers' salaries, and lopsided ratios of teacher contributions to pension payouts have caused the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund’s unfunded liabilities to shoot up to $9 billion in 2015.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, pensions

CPS budget breakdown: Where has the money gone?

By John Klingner, Amy Korte

03/01/2016

Unaffordable salaries and pension benefits on top of a structurally unstable retirement system have pushed CPS to the brink of insolvency despite record tax revenues.

TAGS: budget, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, pensions

Pension costs eat up funding meant for students

By Ted Dabrowski

02/27/2016

Illinois’ growing pension costs – not the state budget gridlock – are taking away funding for essential government services, such as education.

TAGS: pensions

Education labor board to Chicago Teachers Union: No step-and-lane raises

By Ted Dabrowski

02/19/2016

The value of these raises is estimated at $26 million. CTU wanted the education labor board to compel CPS to pay out, even though the district and the union hadn’t agreed to a labor contract.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, step and lane

Rauner looks to end pension pickups for legislative staffers

By Austin Berg

02/17/2016

The perk costs taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars each year.

TAGS: pensions

Chicago Public Schools

Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015

Moody’s: Chicago pension-reform ruling means increased financial pressure, rapidly growing pension debt

6 reasons why Chicago taxes will keep going up

Illinois corruption watch: February 2016

Chicago Teachers Union’s threatened April 1 strike date isn’t legal

11 things you need to know about Chicago teacher pensions

CPS budget breakdown: Where has the money gone?

Pension costs eat up funding meant for students

Education labor board to Chicago Teachers Union: No step-and-lane raises

Rauner looks to end pension pickups for legislative staffers

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help 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