Chicago spending up $4 billion since 2019, mainly for pensions, personnel

By Bryce Hill, Ethan Soifer

10/21/2026

Pension fund contributions grew more than $1.5 billion.

Updated: Chicago City Council approves $2.53 billion sale of parking meter lease

By Ethan Soifer

09/29/2026

Aldermen say the added revenue will go to pensions, but it’s not nearly enough.

TAGS: Chicago Parking Meters LLC

Paul Vallas: Pritzker’s credit upgrades come with a nearly $86 billion tax bill

By Paul Vallas

09/23/2026

Recent credit upgrades are from tax and fee hikes, not growth.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Because of pensions, Chicago pays $157 for $100 of payroll

By Adam Gorcyca

09/10/2026

A history of financial mismanagement has left the city putting in 57% of covered payroll for pensions, but even that’s not enough.

Pritzker’s record: He added $300 million last year to Chicago pension woes

By Adam Gorcyca

08/14/2026

The governor signed a sweetener for city police and firefighters that’s estimated to add over $11 billion in accrued liabilities by 2055.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois teacher pensions 7th-worst funded in U.S.

By Jessica Rehberg

07/14/2026

Despite record high contributions from the state, the Teachers’ Retirement System has less than 50 cents on hand for every dollar owed.

Illinois passes record $55.9 billion budget, with over $800 million in tax increases

By Bryce Hill

06/01/2026

Illinois lawmakers’ late-night budget sets a new spending record financed by more tax hikes on the final day of legislative session.

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, pensions, taxes

Pension buyout extension passes, forecast to save $1.4 billion

By LyLena Estabine

05/30/2026

Renewing the state pension buyout for two years means flexibility for retirees and savings for the state.

TAGS: budget, pensions

Pritzker’s proposed budget shorts pensions by $5.4 billion

By LyLena Estabine

05/28/2026

Actuaries say Illinois needs to put in $17 billion a year to fix the plans, but the 2027 plan calls for far less.

New data: Illinois homeowners pay country’s highest property taxes

By LyLena Estabine

05/27/2026

The state again had the highest residential property tax rate in the U.S. in 2024, tied with New Jersey.

TAGS: property taxes

Pension

Chicago spending up $4 billion since 2019, mainly for pensions, personnel

Updated: Chicago City Council approves $2.53 billion sale of parking meter lease

Paul Vallas: Pritzker’s credit upgrades come with a nearly $86 billion tax bill

Because of pensions, Chicago pays $157 for $100 of payroll

Pritzker’s record: He added $300 million last year to Chicago pension woes

Illinois teacher pensions 7th-worst funded in U.S.

Illinois passes record $55.9 billion budget, with over $800 million in tax increases

Pension buyout extension passes, forecast to save $1.4 billion

Pritzker’s proposed budget shorts pensions by $5.4 billion

New data: Illinois homeowners pay country’s highest property taxes

Who Lives Below the Poverty Line in Illinois? Family Structure and Education Mark the Highest Risk

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Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students