Belleville passes $1.2 million property tax hike to pay for pensions

By Brendan Bakala

12/20/2017

Belleville aldermen approved a 12 percent increase in the city’s property tax levy.

TAGS: Belleville, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Elmhurst City Council OKs property tax hike for pensions

By Brendan Bakala

12/13/2017

The Chicago suburb’s decision to raise the levy will result in a 3.1 percent hike in the city’s portion of property tax bills, marking the first such increase in four years.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Hoffman Estates passes property tax hike

By Brendan Bakala

12/11/2017

Seeing rising pension costs, a decline in state assistance, and a new state tax-collection fee, in 2018 the village plans to raise the property tax levy 4.9 percent and make a 1.2 percent cut to the village’s budgeted revenues, in addition to a 1.7 percent spending cut.

TAGS: municipal pensions, property taxes

Palatine plans property tax hike as officials ponder other taxes, service cuts

By Brendan Bakala

11/24/2017

The village and school district will likely raise their property tax levies.

TAGS: budget, property taxes

Former University of Illinois athletic director’s pension to climb past $500K a year

By Brendan Bakala

11/08/2017

Six years into retirement, Ron Guenther’s annual pension is more than $470,000 and is set to rise even higher, thanks to 3 percent yearly increases.

TAGS: higher education, pensions, Ron Guenther, SURS: State Universities Retirement System, University of Illinois

Normal property taxes rise to fuel pensions

By Brendan Bakala

11/08/2017

Despite increases in city contributions to both its police and fire pension funds, Normal, Illinois’, unfunded police and fire pension liabilities are growing.

TAGS: IDOI: Illinois Department of Insurance, municipal pensions, property taxes

Wave of local tax and fee increases sweeping Illinois

By Brendan Bakala

10/16/2017

Cities and villages across the state are raising taxes or implementing new ones for a variety of functions, from attracting a fast-food restaurant to catching up on rising pension costs.

TAGS: Bloomington, consolidation, fees, local government, local government consolidation, municipal pensions, Naperville, New Lenox, Oswego, pensions, Peoria, property taxes, sales tax, taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing, Wheaton

Illinois universities’ problems are largely self-inflicted

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

09/15/2017

Illinois universities are blaming the recent budget impasse for their declining enrollment and financial problems. But the problems in higher education started long before the budget fight, and are largely self-inflicted.

TAGS: budget, higher education, Illinois Board of Higher Education, pensions, SURS: State Universities Retirement System

Rauner signs police pension reform ending double dipping, introducing 401(k) plans

By John Klingner

09/02/2017

The new law is a step toward more fairness within Illinois’ police pension system, while offering certain police officers more control over their retirements.

TAGS: 401(k), Bruce Rauner, municipal pensions, pensions

Harvey pension crisis shows why local governments need a 401(k) option

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

08/23/2017

The Harvey, Illinois, firefighters’ nearly bankrupt pension fund makes up just one part of Illinois’ combined $267 billion in state and local pension liabilities.

TAGS: 401(k), municipal pensions, pensions

State Universities Retirement System

Belleville passes $1.2 million property tax hike to pay for pensions

Elmhurst City Council OKs property tax hike for pensions

Hoffman Estates passes property tax hike

Palatine plans property tax hike as officials ponder other taxes, service cuts

Former University of Illinois athletic director’s pension to climb past $500K a year

Normal property taxes rise to fuel pensions

Wave of local tax and fee increases sweeping Illinois

Illinois universities’ problems are largely self-inflicted

Rauner signs police pension reform ending double dipping, introducing 401(k) plans

Harvey pension crisis shows why local governments need a 401(k) option

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