GE rejects Chicago as home for corporate headquarters, cites pension debt

By Ted Dabrowski

01/14/2016

General Electric will move its corporate headquarters and 800 jobs to Boston, Mass., from Fairfield, Conn., noting its concerns about Chicago’s government-worker pension debt in its rejection of the Windy City.

TAGS: Chicago, pensions

Illinois’ budget from the inside: A conversation with State Budget Director Tim Nuding

By Donna Arduin

01/13/2016

Donna Arduin is an Illinois Policy Institute senior fellow and a partner at Arduin, Laffer & Moore Econometrics, a group that advises federal, state and municipal leaders, as well as political candidates and private-sector clients, on economic, fiscal and state policies.

TAGS: budget

Chicagoans the most-taxed residents in Illinois, paying more than 30 city taxes

By Ted Dabrowski

01/07/2016

Not only are city officials making Chicagoans pay more for services that aren't working, they are making them shoulder the highest tax burden in the state.

TAGS: Chicago

Despite massive stock-market rally, Illinois’ pension liabilities go up and up and up

01/05/2016

The fiscal crises caused by the state’s government-worker pension liabilities.

Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2015

12/14/2015

November saw Chicago’s City Council let the term of the legislative inspector general, who is tasked with overseeing City Council, expire without hiring a replacement, as well as several other instances of breach of public trust and influence peddling around the state.

TAGS: corruption

6 reasons the Chicago Teachers Union has no business striking again

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/30/2015

The Chicago Teachers Union should think twice before making demands that could result in more taxes on city residents, school closings and teacher layoffs.

TAGS: strike

Dear Illinois Supreme Court: 8 things to know about Chicago’s pension-reform law

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/19/2015

Regardless of the outcome of the case, the burden Chicagoans face from the government-worker pension crisis won’t be going away any time soon.

TAGS: Chicago, municipal pensions, pensions

8 things to know about Chicago’s pension-reform law

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/15/2015

A Cook County judge is scheduled to rule on the constitutionality of Chicago's pension-reform law on July 24. No matter what the outcome is, the pension overhaul will eventually end up in the Illinois Supreme Court. But the ruling may give a clue as to whether or not the city’s reforms will ultimately be upheld.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Municipal Employees' Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago

Moody’s: Chicago taxpayers on the hook for growing pension contributions

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/12/2015

Chicago’s contributions to its government-worker pension funds will jump to $1 billion in 2016 from $500 million in 2015, according to a new report by Moody’s Investors Service.

TAGS: Chicago, pensions

Chicago Public Schools

GE rejects Chicago as home for corporate headquarters, cites pension debt

Illinois’ budget from the inside: A conversation with State Budget Director Tim Nuding

Chicagoans the most-taxed residents in Illinois, paying more than 30 city taxes

Despite massive stock-market rally, Illinois’ pension liabilities go up and up and up

Top 5 corruption stories of 2015

Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2015

6 reasons the Chicago Teachers Union has no business striking again

Dear Illinois Supreme Court: 8 things to know about Chicago’s pension-reform law

8 things to know about Chicago’s pension-reform law

Moody’s: Chicago taxpayers on the hook for growing pension contributions

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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