Any meaningful property tax relief for Illinoisans means reforming Illinois’ unsustainable public pension system.

Illinois’ fiscal year 2019 spending plan includes reforms to discourage some irresponsible spending by local governments.

Pensions punish government workers who leave state employment early. 401(k)s don’t.

Illinois’ teacher pension system is structured to allow local school boards to agree to generous contracts, knowing taxpayers across the state will foot the bill. This system should change so that local school boards cover their own pension costs. That way, they will bear the full cost of salary increases they decide on, rather than pushing much of that cost onto unaware state taxpayers.

While sick leave is necessary for working teachers, letting unpaid sick leave accumulate for the purpose of boosting pensions is an expensive perk that taxpayers cannot afford.