Juan Giron
Juan Giron
“A $60,000 increase isn’t gradual. I thought, ‘This has to be a mistake. Someone must have spilled their coffee, added a zero, or something.’”
Remaining Illinois unemployment offices reopen by appointment
Remaining Illinois unemployment offices reopen by appointment
More than 18 months after Illinois Department of Employment Security offices closed their doors to Illinoisans, all state job centers have reopened for in-person assistance. Job seekers need an appointment, though.
Nearly 40 cents of every education dollar in Illinois goes to pensions
Nearly 40 cents of every education dollar in Illinois goes to pensions
Rapidly rising pension costs compete with classroom spending, reducing resources for teachers and students while driving up property taxes.
DAILY LINKS / 1.23.2024
The Center Square: Federal grants will make ethanol-based fuels more accessible Chicago Sun-Times: Illinois is considering its own child tax credit Chicago Tribune: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s ‘better deal’ with NASCAR is a handshake agreement to pay city an extra $2 million The Free Press: They’re Black Democrats. And They’re Suing Chicago Over Migrants. Chicago Sun-Times: Pritzker joins Democratic governors asking Biden, Congress for migrant aid and to fix ‘outdated’ immigration system WGN: Pritzker critical of Chicago’s plan to handle reduced shelter space for migrants WTTW: Effort to Crack Down on New Dollar Stores in Chicago Advances Daily Herald: Naperville vote on social service grants awards turns heatedOver 90% of Rock Island municipal property taxes taken by public pensions
Over 90% of Rock Island municipal property taxes taken by public pensions
Despite so much of the property tax share going to public pensions, there is still a huge unmet pension debt. The average Rock Island household owes nearly $40,000 to state and local pensions.
Chicago average property taxes up $72 to $180, driven by pension debt
Chicago average property taxes up $72 to $180, driven by pension debt
Chicago homeowners are likely to see average property tax bills rise between $72 and $180 based on the city’s new budget. Higher taxes are driven by $47 billion in pension debt, but pension reform can change that.
Ep. 4: Obstacles to education with Mailee Smith
Ep. 4: Obstacles to education with Mailee Smith
Guest: Mailee Smith
Over 100% of Danville municipal property taxes consumed by pensions
Over 100% of Danville municipal property taxes consumed by pensions
The average Danville household owns nearly $40,000 in state and local pension debt.
Haywood Talcove
Haywood Talcove
“So far, Illinois has lost $1 billion to fraud, at least. Regardless of how you feel, politically, Democrat or Republican, the money that you’re losing could meet all the social program needs that you would ever want for your population.”
Jeremiah Griffin
Jeremiah Griffin
“I want to tell my story so that kids that deal with learning disabilities or people telling them, ‘They can’t be something,’ feel like they can be something, and they don’t listen to the negativity.”
Illinois payrolls stagnant, unemployment rate 35% higher than U.S. average
Illinois payrolls stagnant, unemployment rate 35% higher than U.S. average
Illinois’ non-farm payrolls only added 2,500 jobs from mid-July to mid-August. Unemployment was steadily high as the rest of the nation recovered.
Illinois misses deadline to repay $4.2 billion federal unemployment insurance loan
Illinois misses deadline to repay $4.2 billion federal unemployment insurance loan
Illinois missed the September deadline to repay a $4.2 billion federal unemployment loan. Employers warn inaction by state lawmakers could ‘cripple’ businesses and the COVID-19 economic recovery.
2 things Waukegan can do to nurture students’ futures
2 things Waukegan can do to nurture students’ futures
With rising costs and sinking test scores, school district efficiency and pension reform provide ways to put more money into Waukegan classrooms and improve student achievement.
Rockford sees public pensions eat nearly 40% of municipal property taxes
Rockford sees public pensions eat nearly 40% of municipal property taxes
Public pensions are growing and taking a greater share of property taxes, hurting public services. Still, the average Rockford household owes over $35,000 in state and local pension debt.