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Chicago Tribune
27-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Civic leaders: State lawmakers still have time to adopt a measured fix for Tier 2 pension problem
Illinois faces a defining fiscal challenge: a staggering $144 billion in unfunded liabilities across its five state pension systems. This immense burden strains state resources; crowds out critical investments in education, public safety and infrastructure; and undermines economic confidence. Meaningful pension reform isn't just desirable; it's essential for Illinois' future solvency and prosperity. And a 'fix' to one key pension issue — the need to address some evident shortcomings in the state's Tier 2 pensions — could yet happen before the legislature adjourns on May 31. The Civic Committee, Civic Federation and Better Government Association have consistently advocated for comprehensive solutions to address this major, intractable issue. Today, we urge the legislature to take a careful and fiscally responsible approach to a specific aspect of the system that demands attention: the growing concern that Tier 2 pensions will eventually fall short of federal 'safe harbor' rules that ensure public pension benefits are deemed equivalent to those paid to Social Security recipients. Tier 2 refers to the benefit structure offered to people who started working for the state on or after Jan. 1, 2011. The cost-saving new tier raised the retirement age, capped pensionable salaries, lengthened the number of years of salary used to calculate benefits and reduced post-retirement benefit increases. These changes significantly improved the trajectory of Illinois' pension systems, but they also put Tier 2 pensions at future risk of violating safe harbor rules. Gov. JB Pritzker's budget proposal currently under consideration in Springfield includes a plan to address this risk. Specifically, his plan calls for a $78 million set-aside to address potential Tier 2 compliance costs. This measured approach does what responsible fiscal management requires: It acknowledges the Tier 2 risk, sets aside funds and stops short of overcommitting before more is known. That is the right approach. Similarly, any permanent changes to Tier 2 should only proceed based on clear, actuarially sound analysis. A well-justified fix is appropriate and necessary but only when federal requirements are in jeopardy, and only to the extent required to meet those legal obligations. Once a pension benefit is promised in Illinois, the state constitution prevents it from ever being reduced or revoked. We strongly caution against any effort to turn this Tier 2 fix into an opportunity to add enhancements — so-called 'sweeteners' — that would deepen Illinois' already-substantial pension challenges. Lawmakers should resist that temptation. A responsible Tier 2 fix is one of 10 principles of pension reform our organizations published last fall to guide fair and sustainable pension policy. Illinois desperately needs progress on pensions; this measure is an essential building block for the larger solution ahead. What the state does not need, and cannot afford, is any form of pension 'reform' that makes matters worse. A Tier 2 fix should be no more than is needed, when it is needed, as determined by reliable, public-facing estimates of timing and cost. At present, the analysis showing exactly when a Tier 2 fix is required simply is not available. No state official, agency or consultant has put out a comprehensive estimate of how many employees or retirees might be affected and when. Such data is needed in order for policymakers, and the public, to understand both the scale of the problem and the timeline by which it must be addressed. Likewise, there is no complete estimate for some of the more ambitious proposals put forward by those arguing to 'undo Tier 2' by essentially replacing those pensions with the higher level of benefits that put Illinois' pension systems into such fiscal trouble in the first place. For example, cost estimates for a bill backed by a coalition of unions do not include cost projections for local plans, which would also be covered by the bill. Implementing pension changes without knowing the true cost is one of the original sins of past pension reforms — a grave mistake state lawmakers must not repeat this time. The magnitude of potential costs for making changes to Tier 2 benefits underscores the importance of being cautious. According to a report by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, implementing the bill would increase the state's pension liabilities by roughly $60 billion and would increase required contributions to the pensions by $30 billion through 2045. This is hardly the first time these data deficiencies have been brought to light: The Tribune Editorial Board made a similar argument in February, and other civic leaders have said as much, too. Now is the time for policymakers and the public to focus on gathering the essential data that can help draw the map toward responsible pension reform. Only then will we know if Pritzker's proposed $78 million set-aside is the appropriate target number, one that will address Tier 2's shortcomings and set the stage for tackling even greater pension challenges still ahead.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chaos unfolds in Illinois after local lawmaker arrested during council meeting for raising residents' concerns
Tensions flared at a Harvey, Illinois, city council meeting on May 12, as Mayor Christopher Clark ordered the room cleared just 20 minutes into the session. He cited disruptions from residents and supporters of Alderperson Colby Chapman. The confrontation underscored growing resident unrest over several issues they face with the southern Chicago suburb's administration. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Chapman, representing Harvey's 2nd Ward, has become a central figure in the city's political turmoil. She was arrested during an April 28 council meeting — the second such incident — after attempting to raise concerns about a resident's property being sold. Video footage shows her being physically removed by police. Chapman contends she was merely advocating for a constituent. When asked why she didn't stay silent and just leave, she told FOX 32, "In that moment, I gathered my things, and that's exactly what I was looking to do. But when three male officers approached me as a female, as I'm trying to gather my things, I think that would startle any person, whether it be man or woman, because there's this abrasive approach to asking me to leave, and I simply was leaving. But the further point is, is all of that insinuated simply because I was being a voice for Ms. Allen?" Chapman's April arrest was for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Her mother was charged with the same. However, Chapman denies any physical altercation and explained, "I did not hit an officer (or) push an officer on my way out of the council. Nobody should have to ingest physical behavior simply for inquiry, and unfortunately, I digested that.' Residents at the May 12 meeting voiced frustrations over rising water bills, lack of city spending transparency and perceived public input suppression. Read more: You're probably already overpaying for this 1 'must-have' expense — and thanks to Trump's tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Here's how 2 minutes can protect your wallet right now One attendee said, "They don't want you to speak up with the injustice that's happening in the Black community. They're displacing us out of our communities. They're taking our homes." Chapman's next court appearance is scheduled for June 4. She and her supporters continue to call for a federal investigation into the city's practices, alleging systemic issues affecting the community's well-being. Aside from the issues the residents cited recently, they are also grappling with some of the highest property tax rates in Illinois and even the U.S. According to the Civic Federation, Harvey's estimated effective residential property tax rate was 4.74% in 2022, the highest among 11 selected suburban municipalities in Cook County. Another source shows Harvey's rate reaching nearly 7%, mainly due to declining property values along with stagnant or increasing levies. These burdens are compounded by a shrinking tax base. A report by the Illinois Policy Institute noted that from 2007 to 2016, Harvey's property tax rates nearly doubled as residents left the area, exacerbating the financial strain on those who remained. This financial pressure has led some households to make difficult choices in their budgets, such as delaying medical care or utility payments, to meet their tax obligations. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Chicago Tribune
17-04-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Mark Clifton: How consolidating mosquito control in Cook County would backfire
Consolidation advocates such as the Better Government Association and the Civic Federation are taking a dangerous gamble with public health in Cook County — and it's the residents who stand to lose. Critics of Illinois' special-purpose districts argue that mosquito abatement districts (MADs), despite their essential role, are an anachronism. They claim that folding MAD responsibilities into municipal or county government would save money, improve efficiency and increase accountability. But these promises lack any evidence at all — and the risks are higher than most people realize. In fact, consolidating MADs could undermine public health at the worst possible time. First and foremost, climate change is amplifying the threat posed by mosquitoes and other disease-carrying pests. Rising temperatures are expanding the ranges and seasons of vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks and rodents — along with the diseases they carry. The Chicago region is already a hot spot for the West Nile virus, and climate change will intensify the danger. Without sustained and proactive control, more people will become ill from vector-borne diseases than we've seen in generations. This isn't alarmism — it's the consensus of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Cook County's MADs are preparing for that future. Last year, the state legislature passed Public Act 103-0932, expanding MAD authority to address emerging threats from ticks and rats as well as mosquitoes. Far from being outdated, MADs are evolving to meet the moment. Consolidation advocates rarely acknowledge this progress, the dire prognosis for the future or the increased risk residents would face if these specialized agencies were weakened or dismantled. There's also a troubling disconnect between consolidation advocates and the actual work of mosquito control. Many proponents of consolidation seem to have little understanding of what MADs do — or little interest in learning. Before pushing for drastic structural changes, it's critical to engage with the people who deliver these services every day. MADs are transparent, cost-effective and accountable to local taxpayers. Reorganizing them without due diligence undercuts the credibility of those calling for reform. More importantly, health departments, cities and counties all have a poor track record of managing mosquito control programs. A 2023 report by the National Association of County and City Health Officials found that 89% of local health departments and 90% of city and county mosquito programs 'needed improvement.' In contrast, just 38% of mosquito abatement districts nationwide were flagged for improvement. MADs were six times more likely to be 'fully capable' than other governments. NACCHO's conclusion was clear: We may need more MADs, not fewer. Real-world failures make the risks of consolidation clear. In 2012, Dallas County, Texas' under-resourced program failed to stop a West Nile virus outbreak that sickened nearly 1,000 people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and killed almost 20. In 2016, the overwhelmed mosquito control system in Miami-Dade County, Florida, struggled to contain Zika, leading to $30 million in emergency response costs. That wake-up call prompted a major investment — Miami-Dade now spends $14 million annually on mosquito control, 86% more per capita than suburban Cook County. In 2021, Maricopa County, Arizona, faced one of the largest West Nile virus outbreaks in U.S. history, with more than 100 deaths and over 1,500 becoming seriously ill. In each case, mosquito control programs embedded within county or health department structures failed to prevent disaster. And if you think it can't happen here, think again. In 1975 and 2002, the Chicago region experienced deadly mosquito-borne disease outbreaks that resulted in dozens of fatalities. History shows what happens when mosquito control is underfunded, underprepared or ignored. There are also serious environmental risks to consider. MADs provide expert-led, comprehensive and ecologically informed services that balance public health needs with environmental protection. In contrast, under-resourced or substandard county programs leave gaps that push residents toward fragmented, do-it-yourself efforts using over-the-counter pesticides. This every-household-for-itself approach can significantly increase pesticide use, harming pollinators and increasing overall pesticide load on the environment. Illinois is home to endangered species such as the monarch butterfly and the rusty patched bumblebee — both of which are vulnerable to uncoordinated, excessive or indiscriminate pesticide applications. A balanced, communitywide strategy remains the most effective way to protect public health while preserving local ecosystems. Finally, consider the timing. Earlier this year, the federal government blocked more than $400 million in current and future CDC grants to the Illinois Department of Public Health. These funds help support mosquito disease surveillance, especially in areas without a MAD. If mosquito control had been consolidated under the county government, as consolidation advocates suggest, many communities would now be facing serious gaps in protection. In fact, many communities outside of Cook County are going to face serious gaps in protection because of this funding hole. However, residents in MAD-covered areas remain protected, thanks to local funding that doesn't fluctuate with state or federal budgets. And this example is exactly why MADs exist: to provide consistent, reliable protection now and in the future. Yes, Illinois may have an abundance of local government units. But targeting MADs as an example for consolidation is misguided. These districts are necessary, effective and critical to public health in an era of accelerating climate change and emerging disease threats. MADs save lives and not just money. If the goal is to streamline local government, there are plenty of other places to start. But rolling the dice on mosquito control is a gamble we can't afford to take.
