Record-high Illinois university workers opt out of pensions

By LyLena Estabine

03/10/2026

A record share of Illinois university employees opt out of pensions for a 401(k)-style plan, lawmakers should give other state employees the same flexibility.

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

By LyLena Estabine

01/13/2026

Causes, costs, how to set the state free

Illinois alone lets state pension debt top $100B

By LyLena Estabine

12/09/2025

Illinois’ $143.5 billion state pension debt saw a tiny dip, but meaningful reform is needed to stop threats to taxpayers and protect state retirees.

$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 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.

State Universities Retirement System

Record-high Illinois university workers opt out of pensions

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

Illinois alone lets state pension debt top $100B

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

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

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

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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