Wirepoints’ Mark Glennon on AM560’s Morning Answer
April 22, 2026
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Summary and audio linked here.
-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
Pension spending increased in all of the 10 largest American cities over the last decade, with a few cities experiencing a doubling or even tripling of their expenditures in 2021 dollars. A worsening market environment for pension funds will necessitate increased pension expenditures by cities in 2023 and beyond, exacerbating pressures to limit or reduce employment and, thus, city services.
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Audio and summary Illinois bill would override local law to allow homeless living in all public parks – Wirepoints
April 14, 2026
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If this bill passes, say goodbye to local control over all Illinois parks and expect to see open drug and alcohol use, needles, no sanitation and fire hazards, but no ordinary park users.
Mark Glennon on AM560’s Morning Answer: Chicago Fiscal Crisis Worse Than Pre-Bankruptcy Detroit, HIV Surge and Public Health Threat From Open Borders Goes Unreported
April 10, 2026
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Summary and audio linked here.
Mark Glennon on AM560’s Morning Answer: Chicago pension buyout plan mostly shifts debt rather than eliminating it, property tax surge doubles inflation over three decades
April 3, 2026
9 Comments
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.
To avoid the vicious cycle of deteriorating urban conditions spurring more outmigration, cities need to consider a host of policy options. We recommend the following:Petition state governments to change pension statutes to allow for defined-contribution options for new hires.Alter existing pension formulas for new hires to require more years before a full pension can be earned.Identify ways to improve service efficiency without investing in greater human capital. No recommendation to take money from retirees. Even the reformers have come to the conclusion that taking from retirees is not an option. The more cities that need help the more likely for… Read more »
PPFtard,
First, da Urban Doom Loop is happening now in Sheeeetcago.
Second, improve service efficiency means doing more with fewer union workers which includes firing union workers.
Third, I’ll agree to a national bailout of public sector union golden pensions when you slackers also have to help bailout out SS. How about dat?!!
Otherwise I’ll be out burning sheeet in da streets starting with your car.
Da Judge
And the State of Florida is the biggest beneficiary. Tens of millions of pension money flows into the economy every year.
They pension system is unsustainable, taking way too much money out of taxpayers’ pockets. No one can afford to pay the overly generous pension payments.
Illinois is going to suffer big time for years to come.