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The mayor again blasted state leaders and called upon them to give Chicago home rule authority to implement new levies because they aren’t “bold” enough to do it themselves. “They have supermajorities in both houses,” the mayor said about Illinois Democrats. “We occupy the governor’s mansion. Why are we so afraid to stand up for working people and poor people? It just doesn’t make any sense. It’s unconscionable.”
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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Trump should get Congress to pass a law allowing for municipal and state bankruptcy. He should put a rush on it, as the Republicans will probably lose Congress in the next election.
I guess BJ thinks the “Springfield agenda” includes giving Chicago all the money it wants without Springfield demanding responsible fiscal management.
Recently Brando’s Springfield lobbying group, even after hiring former alder and CTU lobbyist Arena, has been criticized as having ZERO plan. They’ve drafted no legislation. With all their demands for “tax the ultra-rich” being strictly communicated thru press….i.e. they have no plan to tax the ulra-rich and all they will end up doing after all the dog-&-pony-show, blame it on djt, is increase prop taxes and borrow as usual. (https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/30/mayor-brandon-johnson-springfield-lobbying-questions/)
That is a cute picture. Putzger thinking “Will this guy ever shut up ” and Pinhead talking without thinking
Maybe Mayor Conehead it is because Pritzker and yourself are more concerned with illegals than you are your own citizens. Your actions and round Boy’s, speak louder than anything else.
Right! The problem is money, always money, “investment”. Blank Check Governance is all the Progressive (Communist) knows. The void in their morality mirrors the void in their abilities.
I would tell Mayor BJ and the CTU to first show some improvement in test scores and graduation rates then maybe you will consider some more $$.
I’m a big believer in incentives.
Pfft. When the CTU and all the other progressives get their way, a houseplant will be able to graduate with honors.
That’s already being done .
“ home rule authority to implement new levies”
More taxes for the Chicago voters – Cool!
Well, gee J, maybe it’s because no one takes you seriously.