http://www.illinoisobserver.net/2014/12/12/quinn-snubs-rauner-appoints-51-state-boards-commissions/

“I believe that Detroit will become the template for future municipal bankruptcies and restructurings. The call to action for these floundering entities will be, ‘Screw the bondholders.’” It is a relatively easy in concept to stop this abuse of investors—just refuse to purchase these bond issues http://www.forbes.com/sites/investor/2014/12/11/investors-just-say-no-to-illinois-nj-and-pr-muni-bonds/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/rexsinquefield/2014/12/12/bruce-rauner-steering-illinois-off-the-road-to-ruin/

http://www.rebootillinois.com/2014/12/12/editors-picks/caitlinwilson/last-minute-illinois-sports-finance-authority-job-filled-quinns-campaign-manager-despite-rauners-appointments-request-emanuels-disapproval/30558/?utm_campaign=&utm_content=buffer52179&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/12/retirement/pension-cuts/

The expected congressional action to allow previously promised private-sector pensions to be cut is another sign that decades-old assurances that workers were given about retirement income are rapidly fading. The move comes after San Jose, Detroit and other cities have partially reneged on long-established contracts with government workers and retirees. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-pension-changes-20141212-story.html#page=1

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, has been named Chairman of the Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research for the 114th Congress. http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2014/12/congressman-rodney-davis-named-agricultural-subcommittee-chairman.html

While the plan to boost retirement savings has many and significant backers, including AARP, not everyone thinks the state belongs in the retirement savings business. http://watchdog.org/186861/illinois-enters-retirement-savings-biz-critics-question-states-money-managing-skills/

A state contract with the private vendor that ran the $2 billion-a-year Illinois Lottery has been formally terminated following three years of missed income targets. http://fox2now.com/2014/12/09/illinois-ends-contract-with-northstar-lottery/