Illinois public pension debt grows
Illinois’ pension situation is getting worse. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability reports the total unfunded liability is 46% with a taxpayer cost of $143.7 billion, up $1.5 billion from the prior year and the second highest unfunded liability for Illinois since 2020’s $144.2 billion.
COGFA projects funding ratios will increase and unfunded liabilities will decrease starting 2032. The goal is 90% funded by 2045 when pensions will cost taxpayers $18.5 billion a year.
IG finds 186 instances of wrongdoing
For fiscal year 2024, the Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General found 186 instances of wrongdoing within executive state agencies.
Among the OEIG’s annual report are highlights of an investigation into public employees improperly obtaining Paycheck Protection Program loans during the pandemic. They found around 30 cases from 18 state agencies falsifying information to get approximately $8 million in public funds improperly awarded.
155,000 non-citizen receive state ID
More than 155,000 non-citizens in Illinois received a standard ID or driver’s license in the past five months.
WTTW’s report follows the recent update changing Temporary Visitors Driver’s License language from “not valid for identification” to “federal limits apply.” Standard ID’s are not REAL IDs that will be required in May to board commercial flights and enter federal government buildings.
