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News-Gazette: This state's costly exodus
Healthy states grow. Struggling states do not.
Illinois is not yet a failing state. But it is, thanks to years of governmental malpractice, is a flailing state.
People understand that intuitively. All they have to do is contemplate the longstanding budget standoff between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, the skyrocketing growth in the state’s unpaid bills, public pension underfunding that has grown to $130 billion.
Daily Herald: Illinois seeks 'bold change' in mental health treatment
Illinois wants to pursue a new approach when it comes to Medicaid spending that supporters say will improve its treatment of mental health and substance abuse patients.
If the state’s application for a waiver to federal Medicaid rules is approved, $2.7 billion would be invested in a five-year span into integrating physical and mental care, and helping patients lead more stable lives.
News-Gazette: Is AFSCME's first strike on the horizon?
AFSCME said it will challenge the board’s decision in state appellate court. But what it really wants is for Gov. Bruce Rauner to resume negotiations.
“There’s nothing that requires them to implement the contract,” Lindall said.
But state officials who asked for the impasse declaration appear unlikely to abandon a victory they fought so long and hard to achieve.
So the next question — the really big question — is whether state workers will go on their first-ever strike.
Associated Press: O'Hare airport workers to announce strike date Monday
Thanksgiving holiday air travelers will soon learn when hundreds of workers plan to strike this week at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
Service Employees International Union Local 1 officials say they will announce the date of their strike during a Monday news conference. About 500 workers committed to a strike after a vote last week. The workers are trying to organize with the union’s help. They work mainly for private contractors at the airport and include baggage handlers, cabin cleaners, janitors, and wheelchair attendants.
Rockford Register Star: Nightmare finances should lead to the Illinois dream - a balanced, multiyear budget
If these numbers don’t frighten you about the fiscal condition of the state of Illinois, nothing will.
— Pension deficit: $130 billion, up 17 percent from 2015. Illinois households are now on the hook for $27,000 each in state pension debt, $4,000 more than last year. Pension costs consume more than 25 percent of the state’s yearly budget.
— Unpaid bills: $10.6 billion. Unpaid bills could hit $13 billion in fiscal 2017 and $47.1 billion by 2022.
— $5 billion budget deficit for 2015. That number doesn’t look so bad compared with the numbers above, but it’s still a big hole.
The Southern: After passage of 'Lockbox Amendment,' still more questions than answers
The amendment had bipartisan support. It had the support of contractors and labor unions.
And, at first glance, it sounds like a no-brainer. That is, until you start peeling back the onion. And, you don’t have to go down many layers until your eyes start burning.
As it turns out, the amendment could have a devastating effect on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The amendment states that no monies derived from taxes fees, excises or license taxes can be expended for anything other than costs of construction, reconstruction, maintenance repair and betterment of public highways, roads, streets, bridges, airports or anything relating to transportation.
Herald-News: Next step for Illinois budget is in lame-duck legislature's hands
While all eyes were on the most divisive presidential election in recent memory, Illinois’ already lousy financial footing got worse.
A forecast revealed Wednesday during a meeting with legislative leaders concluded that the state’s deficit could grow past $5 billion by the June 30 end of the state’s 2017 fiscal year. The state’s pile of unpaid bills, which the state comptroller now pegs at $10.6 billion, could increase to $13 billion.
A subsequent report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability increases the estimated unfunded liability for the five state-run pension systems, not including benefits, from $111 billion to $130 billion. Almost one dollar out of four in the state’s general fund goes to pay pensions, a percentage that, given no changes, is sure to increase.