Audio: Wirepoints’ Mark Glennon says Chicago pension buyout plan mostly shifts debt rather than eliminating it, property tax surge doubles inflation over three decades – Chicago’s Morning Answer
April 3, 2026
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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.
Illinois lost another 54,000 tax filers and dependents, net, according to the IRS. Since 2000, fleeing taxpayers have taken $94 billion of annual adjusted gross income with them.
“And those who choose to illegally drive without required auto insurance face civil fines, the loss of driving privileges and reinstatement fees that can result in an endless and even more costly downward financial spiral. Most worrisome is that these drivers make our roads less safe for everyone.” And how often is this enforced? I would bet that a lot of people out there are driving without insurance which drives up auto insurance costs for everyone. Back in the late 1970’s Illinois police were able to impound cars if you did not have auto insurance. Guess what, after two or… Read more »
Can’t “rein in” car insurance premiums without addressing root cause for those premium spikes: lawlessness in Chicago metro area, particularly car thefts, car-jacking, car stripping for catalytic converters and airbags, car vandalism from “teen takeovers”. Put the blame on Mayor Johnson’s pandering to thieves, repeat criminal offenders, and non-demonized youths.
Alex you are stinking up the place with your BS.