-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
Summary and audio linked here.
Chicago’s political leadership is floating a pension buyout program as evidence it is seriously addressing the city’s thirty-six-billion-dollar unfunded pension liability, but Mark Glennon, founder of the Illinois policy research organization Wirepoints, said that the proposal moves debt from one column to another rather than reducing it, and that the broader fiscal picture facing the city continues to deteriorate across every measurable dimension. Audio here.
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
Full interview and summary linked here.
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How to stop downtown crime?
— Stop Northbound CTA Red Line trains south of the Loop
— Stop Eastbound CTA Green Line/Blue trains west of the Loop
From 5 PM Friday until 5 AM Monday, and from 5 PM at night until 5 AM the next morning, Monday thru Thursday
If you’re in the mood for a little self abuse, take a ride on the CTA.
Agree. And they wonder why employees don’t want to return to their offices in the loop, and why restaurant traffic is still down. They shut off reasonable public access as no thinking person will risk it on the cta anymore, and expect you to pay $25 to park your car. I can eat a nice meal in the burbs for the cost of forced parking in the loop, river north, etc.
Chicago’s commuter population has plateaued. Everyone that wanted to return downtown has already returned downtown. There’s no next big wave of workers returning. It’s been a mixed bag with some workers working remote full-time, others returning downtown only a few days a week, and execs, some professionals and especially young people returning full time. Downtown being half vacant is kind of a good thing for the kids – the food halls have seating, the lines for lunch are reasonable, it’s easier to get tables at restaurants, the trains are partially vacant. This is a self-inflicted wound. Chicago shut down early… Read more »