-- 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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Pritzker is one terrible governor. His handling of COVID was to me immoral. To give CPS teachers the vaccine when approx only 40% of senior’s had received it is tragic. Here is why WE 1. Average age of Illinois teachers was 39 years old. Per the IDPH this age group had over a 99% recovery rate. 2. It was well known that children had a very low likelihood of transmitting the virus 3. Per a study teachers were not within the top 9 occupations most at risk. 4. As I recall teachers outside Chicago were not eligible His dictator like… Read more »
I wonder if Durbin retires, Pritzker goes for the Senate. President or VP not in the cards, but he could easily get multiple terms as Senator. Cushy job, wouldn’t have to deal with budgets, pensions, education, Brandon Johnson and Chicago issues. Probably his if he wants it, can’t see any opposition Democrats, maybe Gianoulis.
Possible but as a Senator he only has one voice among the rest of them. He by himself cannot make any laws or require mandates like he can here in Illinois. I think he will try for President by 2028 or try to get a cushy post if Harris wins but still no power in making policy.
Dickie is 79 years old and his term doesn’t expire until 2026, making him 81 years old. I’m not sure I see him retiring. But I can’t read the man’s mind. However, being Illinois, I would guess that he runs again, but retires mid-term or near the end, allowing the Governor to appoint someone to his seat for a while, giving them the power of an incumbency. Although the last time that happened we elected Mark Kirk. So who knows
There once was a governor named Pritzker,
Whose wealth made his rise so much quicker.
Turned down for VP, but ruling with glee,
A king with a union supporter sticker.
No term limits, his power’s secure,
A monarch who’s sure to endure.
He gutted his mansion to dodge tax expansion,
While the budget’s just smoke, that’s for sure.
Schools flounder, crime spirals, unchecked,
Yet his rule remains firmly decked.
As citizens flee, he dreams of D.C.,
While Illinois’ woes go unchecked.
Despite the rosy economic picture these Democrats paint, the fact is that a lot of economic disasters are coming, both local and statewide. Funding for education, transportation, infrastructure and pensions. Outmigration and tax base losses.Will Pritzker want to deal with that? Rahm and Daley bailed out when they saw the handwriting on the wall.
To Pritzger, it’s all good. He’s happy as a mentally challenged clam with abortion on demand, pot stores on every corner, illegals fighting in the streets while living on the taxpayers dime and a trustworthy source of votes from the perpetually aggrieved underserved.