These types of giveaways and over-spending argue that since the 1990s, Illinois has not had a genuine budget crisis, but instead, seriatim manufactured budget crises. These budget crises have grown in length and intensity as they have succeeded in advancing Speaker Madigan’s political agendas.
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.