-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
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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I am thankful that the only one in the family that is still in Illinois is my brother and sister-in-law that are collecting a HUGE teachers pension from the state. They do not have to pay any state income taxes on it. Got to love Illinois for that.
That JB Pritzker is the Governor.
Illinois will be going through serious economic harm because of the last four years. I can hope the party in power will finally receive blame.
Keep dreaming.
I’m thankful for good health and the people who sacrificed for the life I have now; parents, gransparents, aunts who worked in the Detroit munitions plants & uncle’s who fought in WW2–they were the greatest generation and my teachers who were Catholic school nuns. They were really on a mission from God.
Family, friends and Wirepoints!!!
I am thankful that my kids took my advice for once and left Illinois with no thoughts of coming back.
Ours too – no thought of ever returning and subjecting themselves to IL governance/taxes and our grandchildren to an ISBE education.
Tens of thousands have already left and many more to leave. Every year there is a mass exodus because of the Greed of the Government worker just enslaving the taxpayers to Pension costs. Even retired pensioners leave ASAP for better hunting opportunities. Everyone makes a hand jester on the way out.
i had my home inspected and then an appraisal based upon the inspection report after considering that the assessor’s comparable sales were for home that were inspected and had all issues fixed to current standards. I then went through the process and received a much lower assessed value. I give thanks for that knowing that I have lowered my tax bill after jumping through the hoops and climbing the ladders so that my assessment is based upon realistic details.
I’m thankful for National Anthem before football game with players standing respectfully. Perhaps a little less divisiveness as we head into 2023.
My wife had a stent put in this week and doing fine. I’m thankful that she dodged a bullet here by insisting that the doctors give her an angiogram, which they didn’t think was necessary. When they did the angiogram they found a 99% blockage that never showed up on any other tests. Waiting for them to eat some crow with her next visit. Personally I’m thankful I’ve been able to work from home for three years. Its amazing how much of our lives we can get back not commuting and able to flex our workday. So in a way… Read more »
Please tell your wife that the thoughts of the Wirepoints’ community are behind her.
I’m thankful for my good health and my families as well. My family has been blessed with good jobs and all the benefits the income from these jobs bring. I live in a wonderful, safe community with many friends and good neighbors.
My wife and I had good, hardworking parents who taught us the value of work and giving back both locally and internationally.
I’m thankful for family of course, especially for the blessing of my wonderful grandchildren.
I’m also thankful for the wise men and women who came before us. Their hard work and sacrifices built Western Civilization, allowing us to live in abundance hardly dreamed of at the first Thanksgiving. I hope we of this generation fulfill our duty to pass on these values and hard-learned lessons to future generations.
I’d like to give thanks to are old dog, who’s on her last legs, and has heart trouble and gags like she has emphysema. She kinda still barks at the mail person or the UPS guy, or maybe not, and just snoozes. She greedy as hell for human food treats (which I’m guilty of giving her) and usually barfs up, but don’t try and take away or she bit your hand off. She’s kinda thru with going on long walks and doesn’t really like other dogs. If the kids come over for Thanksgiving (today), she’ll plop herself down in the… Read more »
Awww. Thanks for sharing about her. I bet she’s given you and your family alot of joy! 🙂
I am thankful for the gift of Jesus Christ and that God is sovereign over all nations.
I am glad to be out of Chicago and Illinois. I signed a contract to have a house built in October 2019. Before anyone had heard of Covid. Reason: Illinois’ hideous fiscal situation. It was true then. It’s truer now.
Mind telling us what state you’ve moved to?
I am thankful for my family and this great country where I was born and live. I am thankful for our great constitution that allows freedom of expression, the second amendment and a contracts clause that prevents a tyrannical majority from stealing from the minority. I am thankful that we live in a land of free and fair elections that allow us to decide our future as well as change leaders in future elections if we so choose. I am thankful that we live in such a prosperous country and all the abundance and opportunity that it offers. For all… Read more »
PPF, in the entire 220 years since Thanksgiving was started, you’re the first to give thanks to the Contract Clause! But I do like the rest of what you wrote and upvoted you (and I like how the Contract Clause has been interpreted).
I am thankful for the bottomless well of taxes to support me despite my complete failure to do what I was paid to do.
Thumbs up from me.
I am eternally grateful & thankful for God’s mercy, that He chose to forgive a wretch like me…
That I may use my freedom from sin, to lead other sinners to repentance & forgiveness…
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death…
Embrace the TRUTH, it will set you free…
A blessed Thanksgiving to one & all…!
He is a god of great mercies, isn’t he? Love your comment!
I’m thankful I was able to take the Illinois Exodus & don’t have to be personally involved in the destruction of my home state. Long live the red wave we have in Florida!
I’m so thankful to my loving wife and family and am continually am amazed they stuck by me through thick and thin for 30 +years!! Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!
I am thankful for my family and my freedoms and the right to fight for them. I am grateful to be an American
I’m thankful for God’s mercy to me, my family and my country. Thank you Jesus for saving my soul.
Thankful for God’s mercy, my wife and family, our good health, and still being on the payroll. Thankful my bigmouth TDS Democrat in-laws didn’t come to our house this Thanksgiving – to embarrassed to show up.
I think you are the front runner for now.
Thankful this year I’m invited for Thanksgiving dinner at the in-laws house again,last year I wasn’t cause I was part of the unclean,the unvaxed, the reason we still had the pandemic around people as Biden put it. Can’t put down in words how happy I am now to be going again. Have to bring my own beer too,cause they don’t drink. Want to give a shout out to Center Lounge in Whiting,had one of my best thanksgivings there last year,great turkey dinner,all the fixings,and knew a lot of people. Had a blast
I am grateful for God’s mercy and grace and for Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice so that we may have an opportunity for eternal life through Him. May you all have a blessed, wonderful, leftover-filled holiday with your families and friends. And thank you Wirepoints for the good work you do to keep us informed and to serve where the Fourth Estate has failed.
I am Thankful that God is in Control. We are all in his hands. God will, in his time, right the ship. So keep your faith in God and have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
44 years ago I was a CPS teacher also working two part time jobs to support a growing family. The owner of one of the shops I worked at asked me to go full time. I expressed my concerns about leaving the “secure” but unfulfilled life of a teacher and he asked me,”Are you ever going to play in the band, or will you spend your life just practicing the scales? I think of him often but always on Thanksgiving. That question changed my life!
Thankful for the ability to live in a neighborhood not affected by city politics, crime or poverty and neighbors who have similar values, manage their children and pay their bills.
I am thankful to God for sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us!
John 3:16…”For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son
that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
I’m so thankful for the wonderful government we have been blessed with that makes Illinois a better place to live in every day 😉
Aside from family, I’m thankful to have been born in the luckiest generation in human history — baby boomers born in America. Anybody in that generation could prosper and raise a family in dignity and boundless hope for the future. The thanks for that goes to the previous generation, which truly was “the greatest generation.” Going through the depression and WWII got their heads screwed on right. I’m not so sure we will be leaving things in better shape than we found them, however, and newer generations seem intent on self-destruction.
Yes, the Boomers have the Greatest Generation to thank for the lives they’ve been able to live.
Unfortunately, I believe you are spot on about the future. I weep for our grandchildren for the society and world they are inheriting.
It’s sad, that today’s youth are easily manipulated by the marxist’s behind the scenes…
Yet I’m grateful that so many of us recognize it, and hopefully we can reverse it…
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!! Hope you all have a great day with friends and family. I am thankful for the opportunity that Mark-Ted-Matt and staff gave all of us a platform to discuss current events in Illinois in a civil way. P.S. Remember the average plate of food today contains over 4,000 calories so try to stop are 2 or 3 refills. LOL! Again Thank You Sincerely Freddy.