4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

By LyLena Estabine

01/13/2026

Causes, costs, how to set the state free

Pension debt limits teacher pay, hurts recruitment in Illinois

By LyLena Estabine

07/09/2025

Money that could help address the teacher shortage is often the first to get cut in pursuit of keeping up with government pension debt. Supporting Illinois teachers will require constitutional pension reform and protecting Tier 2 cost savings.

TAGS: education, pensions

Teacher pension ‘pickup’ costs boost burden on Illinois taxpayers

By LyLena Estabine

05/12/2025

Illinois teachers are required to contribute 9% of their salary toward pensions, but many school districts “pick up” this cost – putting the pension burden on taxpayers.

Pritzker pushes cash to keep teachers in Illinois schools

By Dylan Sharkey

03/17/2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker introduced a Teacher Pipeline Grant Program to address teacher vacancies, but getting more money into classrooms rather than it chasing retirement debt is a better solution.

TAGS: Governor Pritzker

Report: Illinois government ethics complaints hit new record in 2022

By Dylan Sharkey

12/06/2022

Illinois’ Executive Inspector General reported a record number of complaints, some alleging financial mismanagement and conflicts of interest.

TAGS: ethics violation, OEIG: Office of the Executive Inspector General

TRS among worst performing public pension funds

By Dylan Sharkey

08/26/2022

Pension expert Richard Ennis analyzed public pension performance of 24 funds, finding the Teachers’ Retirement System of Illinois among the worst after underperforming for 10 years.

TAGS: Amendment 1, pensions, TRS: Teachers’ Retirement System

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

By Joe Tabor

08/17/2022

Published Aug. 17, 2022 Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension...

Illinois schools pay $8.8M in penalties for pension spiking

By Dylan Sharkey

03/25/2022

Illinois school districts paid out $8.8 million in penalties over two school years to cover salary and sick days in excess of what is allowed by law. Those are dollars taken from classrooms, but only hint at the full taxpayer cost.

TAGS: pension spiking, public schools, teachers union

What unions aren’t telling Illinois teachers: Your pension is in trouble

By Mailee Smith

11/01/2021

Barring reforms, the Teachers’ Retirement System could eventually run out of money and be unable to pay promised benefits to retirees, all while making it more expensive for teachers to live in Illinois.

TAGS: Illinois, pensions, teachers union

Public labor unions push for more power over municipal, teacher pension funds

By Joe Tabor

10/25/2021

Bills backed by Illinois public-sector unions would give them more power in administering pension funds despite evidence of worse outcomes.

TAGS: Amendment 1, Illinois, pensions, unions

Teacher Retirement System of Texas

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

Pension debt limits teacher pay, hurts recruitment in Illinois

Teacher pension ‘pickup’ costs boost burden on Illinois taxpayers

Pritzker pushes cash to keep teachers in Illinois schools

Report: Illinois government ethics complaints hit new record in 2022

TRS among worst performing public pension funds

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Illinois schools pay $8.8M in penalties for pension spiking

What unions aren’t telling Illinois teachers: Your pension is in trouble

Public labor unions push for more power over municipal, teacher pension funds

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