Page 4 - Robert Martwick News Today

The Democratic-controlled Senate approved the budget by a 34-22 vote without any Republican support.

Cook County, local governments, transit agencies, and the education and hospital sectors all benefit from bills passed by Illinois lawmakers.

(The Center Square) – After just days of being on the job, new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has convened a “working group” of individuals to come up with solutions to the state’s long held and deeply-rooted pension troubles. ...

Politico.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from politico.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle applauded the Illinois General Assembly on passing pension reform legislation to ensure the County can fully fund its pension obligations.

All constitutional options need to be on the table, state Sen. Robert Martwick said, including fund consolidation, pension obligation bonds, new taxes and more.

Legal, fiscal and political challenges abound when Chicago mayors try to fill pension fund gaps.

Some Chicagoans objected to the proposed map because they felt it lacked sufficient Latino representation.

The Democrat-controlled Senate approved the budget with a 34-22 vote on Thursday evening, which will allocate an additional $100 million to higher ed, $85 million for homelessness and $200 million toward pension plans.

Illinois’ pension crisis drives up property taxes across the state and siphons resources away from other critical government services.