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.
By Adam Schuster
Over 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.
By Adam Schuster, Robert Brutvan, Perry Zhao
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.
By Dylan Sharkey
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.
By Adam Schuster, Perry Zhao
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.
By Bryce Hill
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.
By Adam Schuster, Patrick Andriesen, Perry Zhao
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.
By Adam Schuster
Illinois lawmakers ask if school mask mandate discipline went too far
Illinois lawmakers ask if school mask mandate discipline went too far
The Illinois State Board of Education might have overstepped its authority by yanking recognition of schools that defied a statewide mask mandate. State lawmakers have asked the board to clarify those rules.
By Robert Brutvan
Some Illinois unemployment offices reopen by appointment only
Some Illinois unemployment offices reopen by appointment only
Nearly a year and a half after IDES closed job centers statewide, the unemployment agency began reopening offices for in-person assistance. So far 13 offices have reopened, with only one in Chicago.
By Patrick Andriesen
Nearly two-thirds of Peoria property taxes consumed by pensions
Nearly two-thirds of Peoria property taxes consumed by pensions
The average Peoria household owns nearly $38,000 in state and local pension debt.
By Adam Schuster