Lawmakers consider borrowing $107B to pour into Illinois pensions

By Joe Tabor

01/31/2018

Record-breaking borrowing to fund Illinois' even more massive pension debt is no real solution to the state's pension problem.

TAGS: bonds, borrowing, credit rating, general obligation bonds, pensions

What’s a junk bond and why Illinois will be America’s first “junk” state

By Michael Lucci

06/16/2017

Illinois’ bonds are currently priced like they are junk-rated.

TAGS: bonds, budget, credit rating, general obligation bonds

Why are Illinois Democrats preparing to bail out bankers and cash-strapped local governments?

By Michael Lucci

04/03/2017

Bailout bills moving in the Illinois General Assembly would attempt to turn Illinois’ massive debt problems into guaranteed profits for banks and bondholders and a lower standard of living for other Illinoisans.

TAGS: bonds, budget, CTA: Chicago Transit Authority, general obligation bonds, grand bargain, John Cullerton, LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, property taxes, RTA: Regional Transportation Authority

The shockingly bad fiscal health of Chicago (and the financial engineering used to hide it)

04/02/2015

State lawmakers and the city of Chicago owe taxpayers an honest assessment. It's a sad state of affairs when we have to get that assessment from a bond guru in Kentucky.

TAGS: bonds, budget, Chicago, general obligation bonds, taxes

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