And tops for the whole nation in April. The top industries being healthcare, transportation and engineering, according to a new report.

Burke’s ordinance is what’s known in political circles as a fetcher bill. Last year, it spurred a lobbying bonanza at City Hall as the major industries on both sides of the issue spent tens of thousands of dollars on heavy-hitters to try to persuade aldermen and aides to Emanuel that they should prevail. Now that the measure is still alive, that lucrative lobbying work can continue.

Comment: Inadequate answers, actually.

Great piece on that question re Chicago, but see our own story about the massive significance of the question for other municipalities as well.

Cook County’s pension has only about half the funding it needs and its unfunded liability is growing by $1 million per day!

Comment: Among the points made by this actuary: “Guys, you really need to think through why pensions are pre-funded as opposed to pay-as-you-go. ” That’s what is so often overlooked. As we gradually slide towards our pensions becoming pay-as-you-go, they become far more expensive than properly funded pensions.

On the heels of a sole-source purchasing scandal at Chicago Public Schools, Mayor Rahm Emanuel today moved to reform purchasing practices at CPS and sister city government agencies.