In rulings that have drawn little notice but will have a big impact on taxpayers, a Cook County judge has thrown out an innovative pension deal that the Chicago Park District reached with most of its unions, and ordered that much of the savings unions agreed to five years ago be returned to their members—with interest.

The back-to-back decisions mean the district will have to honor the original terms of its pension plan and that workers and taxpayers both, for the moment, will contribute less. But it also leaves the district’s pension fund even more massively underfunded and in danger of collapse unless something changes, according to an outside financial watchdog.

While waiting for her kindergartner Monday afternoon, Shakira Robinson read solemnly through 20 pages about Robinson Elementary School’s sanitary conditions, stopping at the one for her son’s classroom.

The 6-year-old is allergic to dust mites and roaches, and has asthma, his mother said, and he was sick from October to January.

A change in Illinois law aims to improve how police respond to sexual assault allegations by requiring officers undergo new training to improve sensitivity toward victims and learn about trauma.

The law also requires police take reports for every allegation, no matter how much time has passed or what jurisdiction it falls under, the Chicago Tribune reported.

St. Charles aldermen are mulling over whether a local gasoline tax is the best method for bridging a gap in the city’s capital fund.

The proposed tax of 2 cents per gallon is intended to serve as a reliable revenue source designated for road construction and maintenance, Finance Director Chris Minick said.

The weather hasn’t cooperated, but one sure sign of spring is about to be unleashed with the Lake County Division of Transportation’s announcement Monday of $100 million in road work.

Several big county projects include widening of Quentin Road in the Kildeer/Lake Zurich area; reconstruction and streetscape work along Old McHenry Road in downtown Long Grove; and widening and rebuilding of Cedar Lake Road north of Route 120 in Round Lake.

Belleville’s obligations to its union workers call for 3 percent raises. Can’t change that.

Belleville’s share of state income taxes dropped about $500,000. Can’t change that.

Belleville’s pensions were not fully funded by past leaders. Can’t change that.

So Belleville’s share of property taxes on your $100,000 home will be going up $58.25 if the 2018-19 budget is passed. Can’t change that?