Pension reform plan for Illinois: Right under its nose
Pension reform plan for Illinois: Right under its nose
Since 1998, more than 20,000 state university workers have opted into a 401(k)-style plan instead of the traditional pension plan.
Poll results show only 1/3 of Illinoisans say they’ve been affected by the budget impasse
Poll results show only 1/3 of Illinoisans say they’ve been affected by the budget impasse
Forty percent of respondents to a newly released statewide poll blame the government for poverty. Poll results also show that Illinoisans feel insecure about jobs and education, in addition to frustration with government dysfunction.
Rauner seeks quicker resolution of AFSCME impasse decision
Rauner seeks quicker resolution of AFSCME impasse decision
AFSCME’s obstruction of a contract for state workers costs taxpayers approximately $35 million to $40 million a month in healthcare costs alone. Gov. Bruce Rauner is seeking a direct appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court to bring relief to taxpayers burdened by AFSCME’s stall tactics.
Grand Bargain: Polishing a turd
Grand Bargain: Polishing a turd
Rudy Barrera
Rudy Barrera
“I work in the assembly department, basically I assemble the trucks. I’ve been with the company four years. “Originally I’m from Mexico. I grew up over there until I was 13. I came to Chicago, lived in the city until 2001. It was OK. I lived with my parents in an apartment. I went to...
Haribo to open gummy bear plant in Wisconsin
Haribo to open gummy bear plant in Wisconsin
While the gummy bear maker’s American headquarters is located in Rosemont, Haribo has opted to build right over the border in Kenosha County, Wisc.
Illinois lawmaker files legislation allowing delay of legislator pay after court ruling says politicians must be paid
Illinois lawmaker files legislation allowing delay of legislator pay after court ruling says politicians must be paid
State Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorne Woods, filed legislation March 23 that would give the Illinois Comptroller’s office discretion to delay payments to lawmakers if insufficient funding exists to do so. This came just hours after a Cook County judge said lawmakers must be paid.
Cook County has largest population loss of any county in the U.S.
Cook County has largest population loss of any county in the U.S.
Newly released census data show 89 of Illinois’ 102 counties, and most of the state’s metro areas, have shrinking populations due to out-migration.
Bill Roberts
Bill Roberts
“I thought I would never go back into a factory job. “Because where [Hoist Liftruck] started out in Bedford Park, I was there when I was 18 years old with a different outfit. And it was weird that I went back … right back into busting knuckles again. “It’s a lot cheaper in Indiana. Everything’s...
Each Illinois household on the hook for $56K in government-worker retirement debt
Each Illinois household on the hook for $56K in government-worker retirement debt
In 2010, the unfunded debt related to pensions and retiree health care costs for local and state government workers across Illinois was $203 billion, the equivalent of more than $43,000 per household. In just six years, the total debt Illinois households are on the hook for has jumped to $56,000, or 31 percent. That’s a $13,000 increase for each household. Total unfunded debt for state and local governments in Illinois now totals $267 billion.
A simple workers’ comp fix could save lives
A simple workers’ comp fix could save lives
Physician-dispensed drugs account for more than 60 percent of the cost of prescriptions covered by workers’ comp in Illinois.
Rauner calls for closed-circuit cameras to replace watchtower guards in effort to cut overtime costs
Rauner calls for closed-circuit cameras to replace watchtower guards in effort to cut overtime costs
A spokeswoman for the governor said the measure would cut overtime costs and help reduce the state’s corrections budget.
Illinois lawmaker proposes legislation to legalize marijuana
Illinois lawmaker proposes legislation to legalize marijuana
Under state Rep. Kelly Cassidy’s proposal, Illinoisans age 21 and older could legally possess, manufacture and sell marijuana.
Illinois has some of the highest paid mayors in the world
Illinois has some of the highest paid mayors in the world
State and local tax hikes in Illinois have hurt economic growth, lowered the standard of living, and contributed to out-migration.