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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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Did any taxpayer who is not a school union member vote for this? No! They are voting to see how much more all of us will pay for services many do not need like childless couples-elderly-single men or women who own a home.
What would happen if everyone got a bill not just homeowners?
Yes they did get a chance to vote for this contract. The school board approved this contract. The school board was voted on by the eligible voters or some were appointed by their elected mayor. The voters had a say in this contract when they elected their representative. That’s how our system of government works. The voters got exactly what they wanted.
Just because something follows an election does not mean it’s what the voters want.
We know that the whole trans thing has always been an 80/20 issue. Yet somehow we were treated to the spectacle of trans people showing off their chests on the White House lawn. How did this happen if the voters always get what they want?
The same way unions get what they want: determined activists who succeed in forcing their views on a reluctant public.
You’re right that the voters don’t always get what they want on individual issues but they are getting what they want overall. Some people want politicians that will protect their right to an abortion but also want to cut spending or don’t want men in women’s sports. These people are forced to make a decision as to which issue is more important to them. Ultimately, the voters, after weighing these issues are getting exactly what they voted for. Otherwise they would vote differently in the next election and that doesn’t appear to be happening enough to move the needle over… Read more »
Here’s an idea. Instead of using a Ouija board to discern what the voters want, how about we just ask them honestly?
Do you support increasing your taxes to the level needed to fund pensions for people who will retire 10 years before you, to enjoy a retirement income and security far in excess of what you the taxpayer can expect?
Do you feel confident this is what the voters want? Somehow I doubt we will ever see such a referendum question on the ballot.
That’s hardly a way to get an unbiased opinion. You are giving prejudicial statements to influence the outcome for some fence-sitter voters. That’s psychological pressure and enough to sway some opinions to your side. Its akin to standing at a voting booth giving your personal speech why you should one particular candidate rather than another. Just ask the question without prejudice honestly and with no pressure applied as to the outcome!
No more dishonest and prejudicial than trying to claim this is what voters really want.
Of course the voters don’t want their taxes raised to pay the bills. Voters want all of the benefits and none of the costs. That’s like asking the voters if they want stimulus checks and a tax cut. It would be a pointless question to ask the voters. How about instead of trying to get out of paying what is contractually owed, the voters are asked do they want to cut spending to pay all the current bills or do they want to raise taxes? Oh wait, we do that each and every election and the voters in Illinois don’t… Read more »
So not exactly what the voters want after all.
I have reluctantly concluded that unions did indeed construct an effective legal straitjacket 50 years ago. No need to pretend that voters actually love their bondage.
It’s more honest to admit hiding behind the black robes of the Supreme Court.
Put the whole pension boondoggle on the ballot- as in should we eliminate it, and force public “ servants “ to go on a 401. You’ll never see it, because it would pass with 90% of the votes.
Hundreds of new staff positions for a declining enrollment. This reminds me of CTA’s management style!
More money paid for a poor education. Nothing the contact to implement strategies to improve education.
The “Press” in Chicago have never accurately reported the CTU vig/contract. Try FOIA’ing that thing. Step/Lane/Pension Pickup/CTU Officers comp, etc. All for a shrinking school district that fails on every metric.
Yet another CPS/CTU contract article where reporters choose NOT to mention step increases. The pay increases average out to more like 7% to 8%and not 4% to 5%.
“CTU and CPS reached a tentative agreement in late March on a contract that gives teachers 4% to 5% raises in each of the deal’s four years;”
Here’s a WTTW article correctly states 4% to 8.5% raises:
(https://news.wttw.com/2025/04/14/chicago-teachers-union-educators-vote-approve-new-contract)
You can bet most CTU will be in line for 7.5 to 8.5% per yr raises!!…..in bankrupt, grab your ankles & squeal like a pig homeowner Chicago!!!
And look out rest of you dopey homeowners throughout state, as CTU sets the standard$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$