A statewide concern: Illinois’ population decline outpaces neighboring states – Wirepoints on ABC20 Champaign
“We are not in good shape” Wirepoints’ Ted Dabrowski told ABC 20 Champaign during a segment on Illinois’ latest population losses. Illinois was one of just three states to shrink in the 2010-2020 period and has lost another 300,000 people since then. Ted says things need to change. “It’s too expensive to live here, there aren’t enough good jobs and nobody trusts the government anymore. There’s just other places to go where you can be more satisfied.”
The contribution puts additional dollars in a place more difficult for bondholders to reach following default and the inevitable bankruptcy. It will keep the fund solvent for a few more months so that those already retired or closest to retirement will get their benefits for a few more months. Each stopgap measure makes the problem worse and postpones the inevitable. Maybe there is a longer term strategy being hatched: a federal bailout that grandfathers the benefits of those above a certain age. Those who cause the problem deserve to be sheltered from the consequences. After all, they have the greatest… Read more »