Geneseo hikes property taxes by 10 percent to pay for pensions

By Janelle Cammenga

11/30/2018

The city of Geneseo hiked its property tax levy by nearly 10 percent to pay for police pensions.

TAGS: Geneseo, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Norridge hikes property taxes by more than 35 percent to pay for pensions

By Vincent Caruso

11/27/2018

Pressured by police pension costs, Norridge trustees voted to hike the village’s property tax levy by more than 35 percent.

TAGS: municipal pensions, Norridge, Norridge-Harwood Heights, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

More than 19,000 Illinois government retirees receive pensions over $100K

By Janelle Cammenga

11/21/2018

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

TAGS: GARS: General Assembly Retirement System, IMRF: Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, SERS: State Employee Retirement System, SURS: State Universities Retirement System, taxes, TRS: Teachers’ Retirement System

Nearly 80 percent of Alton property tax levy consumed by pensions

By Vincent Caruso

11/05/2018

The share of Alton’s annual property tax levy going to pension payments has more than doubled over the past decade.

TAGS: Alton, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes

Sinkhole city: Financial watchdog again gives Chicago an ‘F’ in finances

By Vincent Caruso

11/02/2018

An annual analysis of Chicago’s finances finds the city’s debt burden continues to weigh heavily on the shoulders of taxpayers.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, Rahm Emanuel, taxes, Truth in Accounting

How to make an extra $3 billion, the Illinois way

By Austin Berg

10/25/2018

AFSCME – the largest government worker union in the state – may pull off one of the most insulting waiting games in state history. The payoff? More than $3 billion, courtesy of Illinois taxpayers.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, collective bargaining, income tax, state worker pay, taxes

Pensions, debt push Oak Lawn toward ‘junk’ credit rating

By Vincent Caruso

10/21/2018

The Chicago suburb is facing severe fiscal challenges brought about by its unsustainable pension burden and $75 million in debt – a trend that has become too common among Illinois municipalities.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, municipal pensions, Oak Lawn, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes

Pension costs ravaging Rockford’s budget as leaders consider police and fire cuts

By Vincent Caruso

10/15/2018

Rising pension costs in Illinois’ fifth-largest city are pushing Rockford near the edge of a fiscal cliff – a fate that officials are looking to reverse with a series of steep public service cuts.

TAGS: budget, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, Rockford, taxes

Waste watch: Evanston spent $700K on lobbying and promotions despite budget deficit

By Vincent Caruso

10/11/2018

In an effort to close a $7.4 million shortfall, the city of Evanston’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year includes police and fire cuts along with a string of tax hikes – highlighting the need to trim government waste and push for structural reform in Springfield.

TAGS: budget, Evanston, lobbying, property taxes, taxes, waste

St. Clair County approves 5 percent property tax levy hike

By Vincent Caruso

09/25/2018

The county board approved a $3.5 million property tax levy increase for 2019.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, St. Clair County, taxes

Constitution of Illinois

Geneseo hikes property taxes by 10 percent to pay for pensions

Norridge hikes property taxes by more than 35 percent to pay for pensions

More than 19,000 Illinois government retirees receive pensions over $100K

Nearly 80 percent of Alton property tax levy consumed by pensions

Sinkhole city: Financial watchdog again gives Chicago an ‘F’ in finances

How to make an extra $3 billion, the Illinois way

Pensions, debt push Oak Lawn toward ‘junk’ credit rating

Pension costs ravaging Rockford’s budget as leaders consider police and fire cuts

Waste watch: Evanston spent $700K on lobbying and promotions despite budget deficit

St. Clair County approves 5 percent property tax levy hike

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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