The proposal by state Sen. Robert Martwick is intended to fix a technical problem with the Tier 2 pension system, but Martwick said he doesn’t know how much it could cost taxpayers. He said it could be “billions.”
A WalletHub study found Illinois had more identity theft per person than anywhere else in the nation. It overall ranked as the 6th most vulnerable state to identity theft and fraud.
More than 18 months after Illinois Department of Employment Security offices closed their doors to Illinoisans, all state job centers have reopened for in-person assistance. Job seekers need an appointment, though.
Unemployment benefits are being stolen by thieves who redirect the funds. Repeat victims say the problem is within Illinois Department of Employment Security computers, but the state won’t release data to pinpoint the problem.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security had a backlog of 156K calls in February. Now, over a year into the pandemic, its offices remain closed to the public and 43K Illinoisans are still awaiting a call from IDES.
Despite pushing hard for a progressive state income tax, Gov. J.B. Pritzker criticized the impact of the same policy at the national level for what it means for Illinois.
State lawmakers have significantly abused and underfunded their own pension system. Ending it would be a plus, but only a constitutional amendment will stop pension debt from swallowing Illinois.