$53 billion pension spike advances during last-minute veto session

By Bryce Hill

10/31/2025

A bill that would increase Tier 2 pension benefits was passed out of Illinois House Executive Committee on Oct 30.

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

10/13/2025

Chicago’s $1.15 billion projected budget gap is the latest in a decades-long string of structural deficits. Making Chicago’s high taxes worse is not the solution.

Illinois state university prices up 66% in 16 years

By Patrick Andriesen, Jack Knorr

09/04/2025

The cost of a state university education in Illinois increased 66% between 2009 and 2025, $6,028 more in tuition and fees per year. Blame declining enrollment, a bad state funding formula, pensions and high administrative costs.

TAGS: college tuition, higher education

Illinois tops U.S. in college spending, but loses over 106K students

By Patrick Andriesen, Jack Knorr

09/04/2025

Illinois ranked No. 1 for spending per student on higher education in 2024, paying more than double the national average. Declining enrollment, poorly structured finances, growing pension payments and bloated administration have driven up costs.

TAGS: college tuition, higher education

Selling every NBA team wouldn’t be enough to fill Illinois’ pension hole

By LyLena Estabine

09/02/2025

The five pension systems run by the state of Illinois only have 46 cents on hand for every $1 of benefits they owe. Filling that $144 billion hole would require more money than the price of every NBA team combined.

Report shows Illinois government pension crisis worst in U.S.

By LyLena Estabine

07/31/2025

Illinois has the nation’s worst public pension crisis. Nationwide analysis from the Equable Institute shows Illinois state pensions remain fiscally unstable and threaten retirees and taxpayers, underscoring the need for reform.

Illinois pensioners earn nearly $25K more retired than those working to support them

By Patrick Andriesen

06/26/2025

The average retired career state employee in Illinois was paid $93,558 in pension benefits last year. That’s $24,538 more than the average Illinoisan working to pay for those retirees.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, pensions, taxes

Lawmakers considering adding more than $64.5 billion in pension costs in final hours of budget negotiations

By Bryce Hill

05/30/2025

As state lawmakers finalize the 2026 budget, public sector unions are pushing for major benefit spikes for Tier 2 pensioners to be included in last-minute additions.

Batinick: Enrollment falls across Illinois universities, but prices keep climbing

By Mark Batinick

05/28/2025

Illinois’ university system is losing students to other states as prices per student top the nation. The system and its funding need an overhaul, but state leaders instead are considering letting community colleges create even more competition.

TAGS: higher education

Watch out: Illinois lawmakers may still spike pensions this session

By LyLena Estabine

05/19/2025

Illinois lawmakers could still pass expensive changes to newer state worker pensions using a “gut and replace” maneuver. The proposal would cost taxpayers over $76 billion by 2050.

TAGS: pension spiking

State Universities Retirement System

$53 billion pension spike advances during last-minute veto session

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Illinois state university prices up 66% in 16 years

Illinois tops U.S. in college spending, but loses over 106K students

Selling every NBA team wouldn’t be enough to fill Illinois’ pension hole

Report shows Illinois government pension crisis worst in U.S.

Illinois pensioners earn nearly $25K more retired than those working to support them

Lawmakers considering adding more than $64.5 billion in pension costs in final hours of budget negotiations

Batinick: Enrollment falls across Illinois universities, but prices keep climbing

Watch out: Illinois lawmakers may still spike pensions this session

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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