A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

By Joe Tabor

02/10/2025

Published Feb. 10, 2025 Even though federal COVID relief funds provided an unexpected windfall, that one-time jolt of cash could leave many Illinois localities even worse off than they were before. That boost in revenue allowed local governments to put off difficult budgeting decisions, and as that revenue dries up, municipalities will have to contend...

Illinois’ rising property taxes driven by $75 billion local pension debt

By Adam Schuster

09/27/2021

Rapidly rising property taxes and growing pension costs leave homeowners asked to pay more to get less. Relief requires structural pension reform, starting with a constitutional amendment.

TAGS: Illinois, pensions, property taxes

Pensions in Quincy cost 126% of municipal property taxes

By Adam Schuster, Justin Carlson

09/24/2021

Quincy property taxes do not generate enough to fund the municipal pension costs. Even with that heavy burden, there is so much state and local pension debt that the average Quincy household owns more than $35,600.

TAGS: pensions, property taxes, Quincy

Over 90% of Rock Island municipal property taxes taken by public pensions

By Adam Schuster, Robert Brutvan, Perry Zhao

09/22/2021

Despite so much of the property tax share going to public pensions, there is still a huge unmet pension debt. The average Rock Island household owes nearly $40,000 to state and local pensions.

TAGS: pensions, property taxes, Rock Island

Over 100% of Danville municipal property taxes consumed by pensions

By Adam Schuster, Perry Zhao

09/20/2021

The average Danville household owns nearly $40,000 in state and local pension debt.

TAGS: Danville, pensions, property taxes

Rockford sees public pensions eat nearly 40% of municipal property taxes

By Adam Schuster

09/16/2021

Public pensions are growing and taking a greater share of property taxes, hurting public services. Still, the average Rockford household owes over $35,000 in state and local pension debt.

TAGS: pensions, property taxes, Rockford

Nearly two-thirds of Peoria property taxes consumed by pensions

By Adam Schuster

09/15/2021

The average Peoria household owns nearly $38,000 in state and local pension debt.

TAGS: pensions, Peoria, property taxes

Lake in the Hills approves over 9% hike to police pension levy

08/09/2019

The village will dedicate an estimated $1.5 million dollars to its police pension fund in 2019 – 9.17% more than it paid last year.

TAGS: Lake in the Hills, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Illinois state and local governments spend most in nation on pensions

By Adam Schuster

02/22/2019

According to recent data, Illinois spends nearly double the national average on pensions, measured as a percentage of all state and local government spending.

TAGS: GARS: General Assembly Retirement System, JRS: Judges’ Retirement System, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, SERS: State Employee Retirement System, SURS: State Universities Retirement System, taxes, TRS: Teachers’ Retirement System

Quincy hikes property taxes to pay for pensions

12/21/2018

The Gem City joins a growing list of Illinois municipalities raising property taxes to pay for pensions.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, real estate, taxes

Norridge

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

Illinois’ rising property taxes driven by $75 billion local pension debt

Pensions in Quincy cost 126% of municipal property taxes

Over 90% of Rock Island municipal property taxes taken by public pensions

Over 100% of Danville municipal property taxes consumed by pensions

Rockford sees public pensions eat nearly 40% of municipal property taxes

Nearly two-thirds of Peoria property taxes consumed by pensions

Lake in the Hills approves over 9% hike to police pension levy

Illinois state and local governments spend most in nation on pensions

Quincy hikes property taxes to pay for pensions

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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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