(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois’ pension situation is getting worse to no one’s surprise. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability reports the total unfunded liability is now at 46% with a taxpayer cost of $143.7 billion, that’s up $1.5 billion from the prior year and the second highest unfunded liability since $144.2 billion since 2020. One note, as funding ratios increase, the unfunded liabilities should start dropping in 2032.
(SPRINGFIELD) For fiscal year 2024, the Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General found 186 instances of wrongdoing within state agencies. Among the 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.
(SPRINGFIELD) Among the 1,500 people given clemency by President Joe Biden this week was a pardon for an Illinois woman. Diana Bazan Villanueva of La Grange who is now 51 years old. She was convicted of an nonviolent drug crime nearly 30 years ago. Biden also commuted the sentence of former Dixon Comptroller Rita Crundwell, who was sentenced to 19 years in prison back in 2013 for embezzling over $53 million from the town of Dixon.
(SPRINGFIELD) More than 155,000 illegal immigrants in Illinois received a Standard ID or driver’s license in the past five months. A WTTW-TV report follows the recent update changing Temporary Visitors Driver’s License language from “not valid for identification” to “federal limits apply.” However, the Standard ID’s are not the same as REAL ID’s, which will be required in May 2025 to board commercial flights and to enter federal government buildings. However, many are asking how can this be for those are in Illinois illegally.