Outgoing SIU president to receive $215K severance, new $100K job
Outgoing SIU president to receive $215K severance, new $100K job
Southern Illinois University President Randy Dunn will receive a $215,000 severance package before taking a lucrative job at the university’s Edwardsville campus.
Hog-tied: Illinois state law not equipped to address local governments’ pension problems
Hog-tied: Illinois state law not equipped to address local governments’ pension problems
Avenues for state oversight for cities with financial difficulties have limited utility in the face of massive pension debt and have almost never been invoked since Springfield passed them into law in 1990.
By Joe Tabor
15 former Chicago aldermen collecting 6-figure pensions
15 former Chicago aldermen collecting 6-figure pensions
In the midst of Chicago’s $36 billion pension crisis, former city officials are seeing big payouts.
By Eddie Damstra
Illinois jobs growth spikes in June, double the growth of the rest of the U.S.
Illinois jobs growth spikes in June, double the growth of the rest of the U.S.
Illinois added 18,100 new jobs in June, the highest monthly increase since summer 2017, but the Prairie State still lags behind the rest of the nation for the post-recession period.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Chicago, Cook County employees will see more money in their paychecks
Chicago, Cook County employees will see more money in their paychecks
At least 730 Cook County and 646 Chicago employees have been freed from paying forced union fees following the Janus v. AFSCME decision.
By Mailee Smith
Janus decision means some Illinois state workers effectively see 2017 tax hike reversed
Janus decision means some Illinois state workers effectively see 2017 tax hike reversed
The 2017 permanent income tax hike took $732 from the median Illinois household, roughly the same as the $737 that will be returned to state workers who were previously forced to pay “fair share” fees to government unions.
Outgoing Lake Forest official poised to collect large pension following Amtrak lobbying scandal
Outgoing Lake Forest official poised to collect large pension following Amtrak lobbying scandal
Months after an investigation found Lake Forest’s city manager to have squandered $200,000 on unauthorized lobbying payments, the north suburban official announced plans to retire next year.
By Vincent Caruso
Amid cuts to school band program, Norridge-area taxpayers fund 59 district employees making over $100K
Amid cuts to school band program, Norridge-area taxpayers fund 59 district employees making over $100K
Duplicative school districts and an excess of publicly funded six-figure salaries have educated Norridge-Harwood Heights taxpayers on the benefits of consolidation.
By Vincent Caruso
Push to repeal Illinois’ fireworks ban gains momentum
Push to repeal Illinois’ fireworks ban gains momentum
A petition to repeal Illinois’ fireworks ban has garnered more than 7,000 signatures, as lawmakers in the General Assembly throw their support behind a bill that would do just that.
Just 20% of AFSCME Council 31 spending goes toward representing workers
Just 20% of AFSCME Council 31 spending goes toward representing workers
The union’s own reporting shows only 20 percent of its overall spending is on “representational activities,” which should cause members to question what they are paying for.
By Mailee Smith
Algonquin Township denies taxpayers the choice to consolidate road district
Algonquin Township denies taxpayers the choice to consolidate road district
A new law gives townships the option to let voters abolish their road districts through referendum. But Algonquin Township trustees rejected a resolution that would have given taxpayers that choice.
Illinois state workers who opted out of union membership see pay increases
Illinois state workers who opted out of union membership see pay increases
State workers previously paying “fair share” fees no longer have money deducted from their paychecks on behalf of a union.
By Mailee Smith