7 pension reforms that Illinois can still enact despite the SB1 ruling

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/06/2015

Although the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that altering pension benefits of current government workers violates the Illinois Constitution, there are still actions – from politicians voluntarily reforming their own pension system, to allowing municipal bankruptcy – that Illinois can take to set government-worker pensions on a more fiscally sound path.

TAGS: 401(k), pensions

Coming up short: What if Illinois’ pension funds miss their investment targets?

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/02/2015

Without real reforms, low investment yearly returns of 4 to 6 percent over the next 28 years could cost Illinois taxpayers anywhere from $100 billion to $200 billion above what they’re already expected to pay in contributions.

Illinois’ budget crunch: No cash for pensions

By Ted Dabrowski

10/15/2015

Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger announced the state will delay a $560 million pension payment as the state’s government-pension-driven fiscal crisis worsens.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Illinois Supreme Court, Leslie Munger, pensions

Illinois pays millions in pension benefits to the dead

By Austin Berg

09/14/2015

More than 1,000 dead Illinoisans received pension payments from 2010 to 2014, according to government records.

TAGS: fraud, waste

Parks and wrecked: City’s reform of Chicago Park District’s pension fund challenged

By John Klingner

08/20/2015

A challenge from the SEIU is looking to set back the city’s attempt to stave off the Chicago Park District's pension-fund insolvency.

TAGS: Chicago Park District

Chicago pension reform ruled unconstitutional

By Ted Dabrowski

07/24/2015

The Illinois Supreme Court’s precedent has made it impossible for Chicago to stave off bankruptcy by making even the most meager reforms to government-worker pensions.

Judges split on state-worker pay in absence of balanced budget

By Jeffrey Schwab

07/19/2015

UPDATED JULY 19: It’s almost inevitable that the state will violate either the Fair Labor Standards Act or the Illinois Constitution

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, budget, David McSweeney, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Supreme Court, John Cullerton, Lisa Madigan, Mike Madigan

In budget battle, Illinois leaders should respect the Constitution

07/02/2015

State leaders took an oath to uphold the Illinois Constitution. But they show deference to the document only as it suits them.

TAGS: budget

Solving Illinois’ pension crisis

By Benjamin VanMetre, Ted Dabrowski

06/08/2015

Actuarial analysis offers options to transition to a defined-contribution retirement plan

Illinois House balks on real workers’ compensation reform

By Heather Weiner

06/07/2015

Illinois’ economy remains hamstrung by a broken system.

TAGS: Jay Hoffman, Jim Durkin, Mike Madigan, Ron Sandack, turnaround agenda, workers compensation

Illinois Supreme Court

7 pension reforms that Illinois can still enact despite the SB1 ruling

Coming up short: What if Illinois’ pension funds miss their investment targets?

Illinois’ budget crunch: No cash for pensions

Illinois pays millions in pension benefits to the dead

Parks and wrecked: City’s reform of Chicago Park District’s pension fund challenged

Chicago pension reform ruled unconstitutional

Judges split on state-worker pay in absence of balanced budget

In budget battle, Illinois leaders should respect the Constitution

Solving Illinois’ pension crisis

Illinois House balks on real workers’ compensation reform

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