Analysis of the Mess Illinois Finds Itself – Fact 2

A continuation of WirePoints analysis of the situation in Illinois:

Fact 2

2. Unpaid bills. In 2013, Illinois’ unpaid bills pile had already reached an embarrassingly high $9 billion – 25 percent of the annual budget – despite the record 67 percent income tax hike of 2011. In fact, Moody’s cited Illinois’ unpaid bills in its decision to downgrade the state in 2012.

For sure, the Rauner/Madigan impasse led to an absurd level of unpaid bills, but Illinois was already a deadbeat state way before Rauner. (See the impact on social service providers in number 13.)


Comments

Analysis of the Mess Illinois Finds Itself – Fact 2 — 2 Comments

  1. Democrat Governor Rod Blagojevich was in office January 13, 2003 – January 29, 2009.

    Democrat Governor Pat Quinn was in office January 29, 2009 – January 12, 2015.

    Republican Governor Bruce Rauner was in office January 12, 2015 – January 14, 2019.

    During that entire period, Democrat Michael Madigan was House Speaker.

    Republican James Pate Philip was Senate President January 1993 – January 7, 2003.

    Democrat Emil Jones was Senate President January 8, 2003 – January 14, 2009.

    Democrat John Cullerton was Senate President January 14, 2009 – current.

    ++++++

    Contributions by the State to the State pension funds have steadily increased from 2005 – current.

    More money to pensions, less money to pay bills.

  2. How many retired Illinois government workers, teachers/administrators/professors, are getting yearly pensions of $100k, $200K, $300K, $400K and more per year along with the COLA of 3 percent? An Illinois government pension person getting $300K or more gets a raise of $9000 per year in their pension. How many retired people who live on Social Security and some savings in the bank get any kind of COLA? Social Security COLAS, when they are given in some years, are a tiny, tiny, tiny percent.

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