Pensions

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“Moody’s votes ‘no’”

This editorial discusses Moody’s Investor Service’s most recent downgrade CPS in the wake of a new labor contract for teachers and rising pension costs. The Civic Federation says CPS cannot afford to wait for leadership from the Illinois…

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TRS Changes Increase State Pension Gap

The State of Illinois’ largest pension fund recently revised several key assumptions that affect the fund’s financial condition and the contributions that must be made by the State under Illinois law. As discussed…

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Cook County Pension Funding Levels Fall Again

Trend analysis performed by the Civic Federation shows that the funded status of the Cook County Pension Fund fell again in fiscal year 2011, the most recent year for which data are available. The actuarial funded ratio for the County…

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Chicago aldermen to meet over city's unpaid pension obligations

Chicago aldermen are meeting October 1 for a six-hour session detailing the City’s pension funding crisis. The Civic Federation said fixing the broken system will require shared sacrifice from taxpayers, retirees and current employees,…

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Aldermen reminded of looming pension crisis

Officials from the City of Chicago’s five public employee pension funds will brief aldermen on the state of the plans at an October 1st meeting of the City Council’s Workforce Development and Audit Committee.. The Civic Federation said…

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Update: TRS Reduces Assumed Rate of Investment Return

The State’s largest retirement system voted on September 21, 2012 to reduce its assumed rate of return on investment, a decision that will increase the annual State contribution required by law beginning in FY2014. The Board of Trustees of…

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Korshak Settlement Agreement and the Retiree Healthcare Benefits Commission

Since 1988, the City of Chicago and its four pension funds have been party to the settlement of…

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The Democrats’ Pension Dilemma

This editorial discusses the ongoing struggle many governments face in trying to fund benefits for public-sector employees without cutting public services. The piece stresses the urgency of addressing unsustainable pension costs, citing…

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While Legislature dithers, Illinois' pension costs continue to mount

This article covers the ongoing pension crisis in Illinois and the continued rise in pension costs while lawmakers stall on a solution. It cites a Civic Federation blog…

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Their pension fiasco, your income tax

This Tribune editorial focuses on the temporary personal and corporate income tax increases enacted in Illinois in 2011, which are currently scheduled to partially sunset on January 1, 2015. The Civic Federation said the State’s budget is…