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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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The Wirepoints caption contains an error.
Article: “People convicted of attacking police officers, firefighters or other law enforcement agents would face new penalties — including an ADDITIONAL six months in jail — under a measure that cleared a key city panel Monday.”
Wirepoints caption: “If approved by the City Council, those convicted of assaulting an emergency responder – firefighters, paramedics and anyone charged with responding to an emergency – could face a maximum fine of $1,000 or six months in jail, according to the proposal. Those who assault law enforcement personnel already face tougher penalties than those who assault others.”
Wait what.
Apparently the Wirepoints caption is correct?
This further down in the article.
“If approved by the City Council, those convicted of assaulting an emergency responder could face a maximum fine of $1,000 or six months in jail, according to the proposal.”
Here is the proposed ordinance from the City of Chicago website. Record #: O2023-904. Intro date:1/18/2023. Current Controlling Legislative Body:Committee on Public Safety. Title: Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-68-080 regarding rules for private ambulances and Chapter 8-4 by adding new Section 8-4-076 regarding assault against emergency workers. Topic: MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENTS – Title 4 – Businesses, Occupations & Consumer Protection – Ch. 68 Ambulances, MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENTS – Title 8 – Offenses Affecting Public Peace, Morals & Welfare – Ch. 4 Public Peace & Welfare. Text: ORDINANCE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:… Read more »
Ok here we go again.
Apparently both the Wirepoints caption and the WTTW article by Heather Cherone contain an error?
This from the proposed ordinance (Record #: O2023-904) on the City of Chicago website, as referenced above.
“Any person who violates this section shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, or be incarcerated for not less than 90 days nor more than 180 days, “OR BOTH.”
Also, it is unclear why the ordinance includes the words, “peace officer.”
This from the ordinance posted above.
“‘Covered person’ means any peace officer, fireman, emergency management worker or emergency medical services personnel.”
This from the WTTW article.
“Those who assault law enforcement personnel already face tougher penalties than those who assault others. Convictions carry a mandatory minimum prison sentence of four years, with a maximum of 15 years, as well as fines of up to $25,000.”
Perhaps there is some variation between “peace officer” and “law enforcement.”
The Wirepoints caption is still incorrect. Incorrect caption: “If approved by the City Council, those convicted of assaulting an emergency responder – firefighters, paramedics and anyone charged with responding to an emergency – could face a maximum fine of $1,000 or six months in jail, according to the proposal. Those who assault law enforcement personnel already face tougher penalties than those who assault others.” Corrected caption: If approved by the City Council, those convicted of assaulting an emergency responder – firefighters, paramedics and anyone charged with responding to an emergency – could face a maximum fine of $1,000 or six… Read more »
The Wirepoints caption is still incorrect. Wirepoints caption: “If approved by the City Council, those convicted of assaulting an emergency responder – firefighters, paramedics and anyone charged with responding to an emergency – could face a maximum fine of $1,000 or six months in jail, according to the proposal.” City of Chicago ordinance O2023-904 (it passed the Chicago City Council on February 1, 2023): “Any person who violates this section shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, or be incarcerated for not less than 90 days nor more than 180 days, OR BOTH.” https://chicago.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5998772&GUID=EFEB4288-E468-4D34-940D-CDF0D0F2928F&Options=&Search=&FullText=1 The Wirepoints… Read more »
More jail time for attacking a cop or fireman? Why not more housing assistance or more free sessions with a social worker?