Fox News Chicago on Illinois Pensions

Below is the story and my interview on Fox News Chicago tonight on Illinois pensions: UPDATE: The Illinois Legislature passed some semblance of pension reform tonight. See more details at Illinois Review.

Illinois’ Financial State of the State

Truth In Accounting has the following on Illinois financial troubles: The revised numbers indicate that Illinois’ unfunded promises for state employees’ health care benefits now exceed $39.9 billion. As of June 30, 2007 this amount was calculated to be $23.9 billion. We have yet to determine why this liability went up by $16 billion in [...]

100 Top State Pensions for 2009

The pensions in the state have gotten out of hand are a burden on the taxpayers of this state, especially since the state has no sense of responsibility in funding them properly. Below are some of the highlights (See the full list at Champion News) 3,597 Illinois “Public Servants” Receive $100,000 Plus. Pensions In 2009 [...]

Transparency in Grayslake D46?

As many of you know I have been fighting for transparency in Grayslake District 46 for several years. To this end I am working with Americans For Prosperity (AFP) to help finally make this effort a reality. The following is the letter sent to each school board member and Superintendent Ellen Correll last week: The [...]

Kids Find Cost Free Solution Instead of Teachers, Administration

The article from the Chicago Sun-Times is highlighting the need for Recess and other activities in Chicago Public Schools. In doing so they pointed out how the kids came up with a cost-free way to have after school programs to help the kids stay off the streets. They asked parents to volunteer to lead after-school [...]

1-percent sales tax hike won't be on Nov. 4 ballot

Thankfully, the 1-percent sales tax for school construction will not be on the ballot this November. Of course, the schools will regroup and try again. They always do and there is nothing the voters can do about it. The best we can do is continue to watch school spending and try to elect fiscally responsible [...]

Illinois funds 29 percent of public schools' costs

The South Town Star article stating Illinois funds 29 percent of public schools’ costs is disengenuous. This is an average across all schools in which some schools get the majority of their funding from the state and some get nearly zero. In addition, the property tax system that funds the majority of Illinois public schools [...]

Funding Inequities Highlight need to fund the child and not bureaucracies

State Sen. Meeks is encouraging CPS students to skip school the first day and attempt to register at New Trier and other so called elite schools. This is a gimic that highlights the inequity in our current school funding model of funding bureaucratic districts leaving many children behind. Unfortunately, Sen. Meeks is missing the boat [...]

Does the Illinois Lottery pay for education?

Does the Illinois Lottery pay for education? That is the question the Daily Herald answered a few days ago. [Emphasis Mine] First, an answer. Yes, millions of dollars from losing Illinois Lottery tickets go to fund public education. ————————– The lottery began in 1974, but the money wasn’t specifically earmarked for education until 1985. That [...]

Grayslake Elementary District 46 Overpaid Teachers

In more disturbing news from the local school districts, it was discovered that the Grayslake Elementary District 46 overpaid 13 teachers and classroom assistants a combined $92,106 over the last two academic years The story was in the Daily Herald. I am glad to see them continuing their reporting on the financial misconduct within the [...]

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