(The Center Square) – Local officials are urging Illinois state government to assist in addressing local pension deficits. Chicago owes nearly $34 billion in unfunded pension liabilities for public safety workers like p.
(The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers getting hit by high gas prices are also paying higher prices when governments fuel up taxpayer-funded vehicles. Illinois Municipal League Executive Director Brad Cole said munici.
Before lawmakers left Springfield this week after the end of the spring session, there hasn’t been much wholesale change to shore up the burden on taxpayers from growing
Normal, IL, USA / www.cities929.com
Jun 3, 2021 | 11:50 AM
(The Center Square) – Before lawmakers left Springfield this week after the end of the spring session, there hasn’t been much wholesale change to shore up the burden on taxpayers from growing public sector pension costs.
State Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, did have one measure for Chicago Park District pensions. House Bill 417 brought a variety of changes, including bonding for paying pensions.
“They also create a Tier III for district employees where new employees will pay 11% of their salaries, instead of 9%, into the pension fund,” Burke said.
State Rep. Martin McLaughlin supported Burke’s bill, but said it neglects the statewide pension crunch as Democrats continue to pass new spending and new programs.
The state has run out of money for its Business Interruption Grant program, which aimed to help small businesses walloped by COVID-19, and some restaurant operators are not happy.
The program launched over the summer, and supplies federal funds from the CARES Act. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administered the first round of grants in August, and started distributing a second round in the fall. […]
Restaurant operators that were not chosen said they are frustrated with the state. They were encouraged to apply, and some operators said that led them to believe they were likely to receive a grant.