The city of Peoria’s decision to eliminate 22 firefighter and 16 police positions came after 27 layoffs earlier this year. Both decisions and a proposed $50-$300 fee are because pension spending is crowding out services.

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

The Chicago firefighters pension fund has filed claims with the Illinois comptroller for $3.3 million in shorted pension contributions, an action that could worsen city finances and service delivery.

The city of Peoria, Illinois sent layoff notices to 27 employees in an effort to fill a budget hole caused by growing pension costs.

Pension reform is a moral imperative. The alternative is a future in which core services are cut, taxes are raised, and pensioners risk losing what they’ve already been promised as the funds go insolvent.

More than a dozen city and park district retirees in Highland Park have received more than $1 million in pension benefits each.

Seven former local officials across Rock Island County are taking home pensions in excess of $100,000 a year. And nearly a dozen have already collected $1 million over the course of their retirements.

Severely underwater public safety pensions have already derailed the finances of other municipalities, such as Harvey and North Chicago.