Pritzker sends another $250K in taxpayer money to group pushing more taxes

By Dylan Sharkey

08/23/2024

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget includes $250,000 for a group advocating for increased government spending and higher taxes. He gave the group money last year, too.

TAGS: CTBA: Center for Budget and Tax Accountability, JB Pritzker

Illinois may take on massive public pension boost with no clue on costs

By Bryce Hill

04/23/2024

Several bills that enhance Tier 2 state worker pension benefits, reduce retirement ages, allow for large end-of-career lump-sum payments and other pension sweeteners are moving through the Illinois General Assembly. They appear to be heading for a vote.

Report: $1.4B more needed from taxpayers for Illinois universities

By Patrick Andriesen

03/19/2024

A commission reported $1.4 billion is needed from taxpayers as soon as 2035 to fix the state funding drop at Illinois public universities. Instead, they should be pushing for pension reform.

Nearly all Illinois public universities report higher costs, less money to operate

By Patrick Andriesen

03/11/2024

Every Illinois public university received about one-third less operational funding from the state in fiscal year 2024 than 15 years ago. University of Illinois spending per student dropped by nearly half.

Illinois shorts higher ed by nearly $530M compared to 15 years ago

By Patrick Andriesen

02/01/2024

Illinois’ institutions of higher education will get nearly $530 million less from lawmakers to run this year than they did in fiscal year 2009, adjusted for inflation. Coupled with rapidly rising pensions, students and their families can expect ever-higher tuition costs.

Illinois pension debt grows $2.6 billion in 2023, mainly to cover raises

By Patrick Andriesen

12/08/2023

Unfunded liabilities for Illinois’ five statewide pension systems grew by $2.5 billion in a year, hitting its second-highest level since 2009. Researchers attributed most of the growth to “larger than expected salary increases.”

Fact check: Pritzker budget takes from college students, gives to pensions

By Dylan Sharkey

05/16/2022

Gov. J.B Pritzker has touted his record on higher education funding, even hinting many students should be given free tuition, but pensions are driving up tuition and eating state university funding. Pritzker refuses to tame that beast.

TAGS: college tuition, education spending, SURS: State Universities Retirement System

Illinois may borrow $1B for pension buyouts

By Adam Schuster, Patrick Andriesen

02/09/2022

Illinois lawmakers might borrow $1 billion to extend pension buyout programs until 2026. Experts warn the efforts have been a disappointment and will do little to ease Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation pension crisis.

TAGS: debt, Illinois, pension obligation bonds

Illinois can save $577M on pensions by adding a date to a law

By Dylan Sharkey

02/03/2022

Illinois’ pension debt is the highest of any state. An easy fix to state law would start the Tier 3 retirement program, saving $577 million while workers gain options.

TAGS: Amendment 1, Illinois, pensions

Illinois Forward 2023: Only pension, budget reform can save taxpayers when federal aid ends

01/30/2022

Published Jan. 30, 2022

State Universities Retirement System

Pritzker sends another $250K in taxpayer money to group pushing more taxes

Illinois may take on massive public pension boost with no clue on costs

Report: $1.4B more needed from taxpayers for Illinois universities

Nearly all Illinois public universities report higher costs, less money to operate

Illinois shorts higher ed by nearly $530M compared to 15 years ago

Illinois pension debt grows $2.6 billion in 2023, mainly to cover raises

Fact check: Pritzker budget takes from college students, gives to pensions

Illinois may borrow $1B for pension buyouts

Illinois can save $577M on pensions by adding a date to a law

Illinois Forward 2023: Only pension, budget reform can save taxpayers when federal aid ends

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