In an effort to shore up pension debt, Chicago officials in 2014 adopted a pension-reform package that included raising the telephone tax. Though the Illinois Supreme Court struck down these changes, the tax hike remains.

TAGS: taxes

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

Chicago pension decision silver linings

03/24/2016

Despite striking down a pension-reform package aimed at reducing Chicago’s pension debt, the Illinois Supreme Court opened the door for future legislative reforms.

Illinois Supreme Court strikes down Chicago pension reform but opens door for other changes

03/24/2016

While striking down modest reforms to Chicago city-worker pensions, the Illinois Supreme Court has effectively given state lawmakers the green light on other avenues for pension reform.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, Karen Lewis, pensions

Rauner: Madigan not ‘doing his job’

By Mark Fitton

03/09/2016

More than two-thirds of fiscal year 2016 has passed with the state lacking an overall budget.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Mike Madigan

Caterpillar CEO’s warnings 4 years later: Illinois on downward slide as predicted

By Michael Lucci

02/15/2016

Illinois politicians ignored Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman’s 2012 plea for pro-growth reforms, and Illinois is the only state in the region to have lost manufacturing jobs on net over the last four years.

TAGS: manufacturing, unemployment

Pensions 101: Understanding Illinois’ massive, government-worker pension crisis

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

02/03/2016

The crisis threatens to burden taxpayers with massive, ever-escalating taxes to bail out a system that is not sustainable – government-worker pensions consume a fourth of the state’s budget.

Illinois Supreme Court

What’s driving Illinois’ $111 billion pension crisis

Illinois Supreme Court ruling could give state workers more retirement options

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

Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling

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

Chicago pension decision silver linings

Illinois Supreme Court strikes down Chicago pension reform but opens door for other changes

Rauner: Madigan not ‘doing his job’

Caterpillar CEO’s warnings 4 years later: Illinois on downward slide as predicted

Pensions 101: Understanding Illinois’ massive, government-worker pension crisis

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