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.

Madigan wants to raise income taxes again

By Hilary Gowins

12/10/2015

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan says Illinois’ income taxes should be increased to at least 5 percent.

TAGS: income tax

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

Moody’s hits Illinois with credit downgrades

By Austin Berg

10/23/2015

Major ratings agencies are weighing in on the dismal state of the state.

TAGS: credit rating, Moody's Investor Service

CPS pensions: From retirement security to political slush fund

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

10/06/2015

CPS leaders have brought the teachers’ pension fund to the brink of insolvency. Now they’re counting on taxpayers to clean up the mess.

All three major credit rating agencies declare CPS bonds ‘junk’ grade

By John Klingner

08/17/2015

Another credit downgrade for the Chicago Board of Education’s debt demonstrates the urgency of immediate fiscal reforms.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, credit rating

CTU president Karen Lewis calls employee-pension contribution issue “strike-worthy”

By Ted Dabrowski

08/10/2015

The president of the Chicago Teachers Union defied the school board to require teachers to pay more of their own retirement costs.

TAGS: Chicago, CTPF: Chicago Teachers Pension Fund, Fitch Ratings, Karen Lewis, strike

Trashed again: Fitch joins Moody’s in declaring Chicago Board of Education credit ‘junk’

By John Klingner

07/28/2015

If the district can’t get its finances in order, expect more teacher layoffs, school closings and large tax increases on Chicagoans.

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.

Moody's Ratings

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

Madigan wants to raise income taxes again

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

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

Moody’s hits Illinois with credit downgrades

CPS pensions: From retirement security to political slush fund

All three major credit rating agencies declare CPS bonds ‘junk’ grade

CTU president Karen Lewis calls employee-pension contribution issue “strike-worthy”

Trashed again: Fitch joins Moody’s in declaring Chicago Board of Education credit ‘junk’

Chicago pension reform ruled unconstitutional

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