Police and fire pension fund consolidation will create efficiencies and significantly reduce costs, improving many towns’ ability to finance the retirements promised to public safety workers.
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Posted inAnalysis, Investigation, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: As Media’s Presence Shrinks, Taxpayers Suffer
As print and broadcast media keep shedding staff to cut costs, public officials face less and less scrutiny, emboldening them to misbehave with impunity, laws and taxpayers be damned.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Statewide Police and Fire Pension Fund Database: How Much Does Your Town Owe?
Illinois has the most police and fire pension funds in the country, and many are underfunded. Use our tool to see how your town’s funds measure up.
Posted inPress Release
BGA Wins Prestigious National Award for Series on Nuclear Industry
‘Power Struggle’ project honored with Stokes Award for exposing radioactive leaks and questions about federal oversight. The BGA also won a statewide award for its story about boy with autism who drowned in Chicago Public School pool.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
When It Comes to Illinois’ Deficit, How Bad is Bad?
There are lots of different ways to measure Illinois’ fiscal crisis, and politicians usually seize on the yardstick that best fits their partisan agendas.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Illinois’ Plan For $109 Million Haul From Volkswagen Emissions Scandal Draws Fire
Critics say the state is keeping the public in the dark and trying to speed a process that they fear may ultimately benefit corporate interests more than people sickened by air pollution.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Examining Another Plan to Shift Pension Costs Back to Schools
Rauner’s proposal to shift state pension obligations for educators back to their employers, local school systems and universities isn’t new or unique to Republicans.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: Let’s Try Opening Up Ballots and Primaries
Why should you have to tell an election judge you’re a Democrat or Republican?
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Hate Asking for One Party’s Ballot? Here’s How It’s Done Elsewhere
Every primary election, we hear complaints from family and friends about the fact that they have to ask an election judge for a Democratic, Republican, or Green party ballot. That isn’t so in other states.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: Illinois Primary Reveals Election Flaws That Need Fixin’
We’re lamenting the system’s failure to give candidates and voters the election they deserve in a healthy democracy, and promoting reforms to consider in the run-up to November.