Pension actuary: “The example of Illinois and Chicago make me very dubious that we can rely on states to follow through on whatever commitments they make with respect to funding their pension promises from year to year. Whether that’s by simply not making required contributions, or developing delusionally-optimistic contribution schedules, the temptation is simply too great to borrow from future generations in ways that are hidden and conform, on paper, to balanced-budget requirements.”

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed bills into law last weekend meant to address the state’s teacher shortage. But according to the Illinois Education Association, he left out one key piece of legislation that would do more than any other to add teachers statewide by guaranteeing them a minimum salary of $40,000.

By the Executive Director of the IL Democratic Party: “Make no mistake: Everything we value as Illinoisans, and the things that make our state and country strong, are in jeopardy.”

Comment: As we reported earlier here, that could blow a $700 to $900 million hole in the state budget.

Research at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute — located at Southern Illinois University, no less — says otherwise.

A response to our Wirepoints research. We disagree, and see a counterpoint linked here in Forbes by another author.