The pension shortfall per Chicago household stands at $33,500 each.

Taxpayers need protection when municipalities go bust.

Talk of the next Detroit rings truer now than ever before.

Expect local-government finances across the state to spiral downward until politicians pass a constitutional amendment.

Chicago Teachers Union executives say their members shouldn’t have to contribute more money to their retirements because of a contract negotiation nearly 35 years ago.

As long as the state mandates pension rules and regulations for local governments, unfunded pension liabilities will continue to pressure local budgets.