62 former state lawmakers receiving more than $100K pensions

06/05/2020

Illinois’ broken pension system puts $100,000 a year or more into the hands of 62 former state lawmakers. It has paid more than $1 million to 94 of them.

TAGS: Arthur L. Berman, Barbara Flynn Currie, GARS: General Assembly Retirement System, Jim Edgar, lawmaker pay, Lou Lang, Pat Quinn, pensions

Currie to receive 6-figure pension after first year of retirement

By Austin Berg

09/21/2017

The longtime House majority leader will benefit from a sweetener provision that grants massive pension spikes to career lawmakers after one year of retirement.

TAGS: Barbara Flynn Currie, pensions

House Republicans’ pension plan not the solution Illinois needs

By John Klingner, Ted Dabrowski

06/15/2017

Illinois needs to begin an end to its pension crisis by expanding access to a standalone 401(k)-style plan to all government workers; the new proposal by the House GOP does not accomplish this.

TAGS: 401(k), Barbara Flynn Currie, Illinois House of Representatives, Jim Durkin, John Cullerton, pensions

Illinois House has spent less than 6 hours in session this month

By Austin Berg

05/19/2017

House members have spent as much time playing softball and basketball as they have in session since the beginning of May.

TAGS: Barbara Flynn Currie, budget, Illinois House of Representatives, lawmaker pay, Mike Madigan

State lawmakers don’t really care about the budget

By Austin Berg

05/19/2017

The odds Illinois continues without a budget until 2018 increase sharply if nothing passes before the end of May

TAGS: Barbara Flynn Currie, budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois House of Representatives, Illinois Senate, John Cullerton, Litesa Wallace, Mike Madigan

6 key reasons to say ‘no’ to Flynn Currie pension bill in the Illinois House

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

05/17/2017

Illinois state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie has introduced a pension bill that is unfair to new and current workers, is potentially unconstitutional, bails out Chicago Public Schools’ pensions, and perpetuates Illinois’ broken pension system.

TAGS: Barbara Flynn Currie, budget, Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Jim Durkin, pensions

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students