Patrick Rehkamp

Though some public employees have taken advantage of pension “sweeteners” over the years to boost benefits, political leaders also failed to keep pension systems adequately funded.

Nearly two-dozen retired Chicago police officers are collecting taxpayer-supported pensions, and are now back on the city payroll.

Mayor Ron Serpico’s administration taps local bank to handle municipal finances, bank taps Serpico to work as lawyer. Are taxpayer interests being well served?

Unsuccessful mayoral candidate will see his government pensions rise after retroactively contributing to city pension fund, covering his long-ago time in City Council.

Guilty plea, prison term follow investigations by Better Government Association into irregular finances at Lyons Township School Treasurer’s office.

As Rahm Emanuel’s campaign blasts opponent Jesus “Chuy” Garcia for taking more than one property tax break, questions surface about a tax exemption collected by mayoral aide Cheryl Hyman, the City Colleges chief.

After a Better Government Association investigation on questionable spending, Matteson’s elected officials decide against terminating police officers and firefighters, for now.

Staring down a nearly $8 million budget deficit next year, the Village of Matteson may draw down its public-safety work force significantly – with possible layoffs of 13 cops and eight firefighters.

Recent campaign disclosures shed light on Mayor Eric Kellogg’s political saviors.

While detained in 2012 for an off-duty incident, a now-former prosecutor had an ugly encounter with Chicago police. More recently, she inquired about a job with sheriff.