The issue is whether an public defender, as an independent contractor, is eligible for an IMRF pension. If he’s eligible, that also likely opens the door for his successor as public defender to receive one — and potentially could mean many of those who served as assistant public defenders under Penn to make similar claims. Ultimately costs there could run into the millions for the county — none of it planned for or set aside.

A host of Illinois companies demonstrates just how close to home potential fallout from the EU vote might hit.

Thursday is the end of a full year without a state budget — plus another blown deadline to make a budget for the new fiscal year that starts Friday.