The majority of the 20 suburban Cook County townships hoard large amounts of cash that’s in excess of the “rainy day” fund that municipal finance experts recommend. Some townships have enough cash to cover a full year’s expenses without going to taxpayers.
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Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
Redundant Services & People, Tens of Millions in Salaries
It costs millions of dollars annually to staff and operate townships. The BGA inquiry found that the 20 suburban townships employed 562 full-time workers and 425 part-time employees, adding up to $27.6 million in total salaries. Are they all necessary?
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
South Suburban Fire District Burned by Six-Figure Theft
Prosecutors called in to sort through missing-money case in Roberts Park.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Gov.’s Gaming Blueprint Deserves a Fair Deal
As he was threatening to veto a bill authorizing a massive expansion of gambling in Illinois, Gov. Pat Quinn was also releasing a “framework for gaming”—his blueprint for fixing what, from his perspective, ails the General Assembly’s latest legislative attempt to swell the ranks of casinos, slot machines and gambling venues.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Gaming, ‘Smart Grid’ Bills Top Illinois Veto Session Agenda
Gaming, ‘Smart Grid’ Bills Top Illinois Veto Session Agenda
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Top Rahm Aide Set Herself Up For Sweet CTA Pension
A joint Crain’s/BGA probe has learned mayoral Chief of Staff Theresa Mintle is eligible for a $65,000 CTA pension based on just eight years’ service at the agency.
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
MAYOR EMANUEL’S CHIEF OF STAFF GIVES UP PENSION PERK
OCT. 22, 2011 — Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s chief of staff, Theresa Mintle, announces she won’t take a potentially lucrative public-sector pension after a BGA and Crain’s Chicago Business investigation finds that she had a hand in crafting the pension perk while working at the CTA.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Home Agency Gave Interest-Free Loans to Director
Part II of an investigation with the Chicago Sun-Times looks at two interest-free home-improvement loans given to Kenneth Pannaralla, a director at a government-run home-equity assurance program.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Taxpayer Money Set Aside to Curb White Flight Helped Some Flee Chicago
Part I of an investigation with the Chicago Sun-Times looks at a 1988 law passed to keep people in their homes in Chicago that has often ended up paying for them to move.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Double Dipping in DuPage County
Several county board members draw dual public-sector salaries and stand to draw dual pensions.