State of Illinois

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TRS Changes Increase State Pension Gap

The State of Illinois’ largest pension fund recently revised several key assumptions that affect the fund’s financial condition and the contributions that must be made by the State under Illinois law. As discussed…

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Cigarette Tax Stamp Hoarding Lowers Revenues but Leaves Medicaid Funding Intact

A $1-per-pack cigarette tax increase enacted by the State of Illinois in June to help fund the State’s Medicaid program is bringing in far less revenue than originally expected and could fall short of projections by as much as $125.7…

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Update: TRS Reduces Assumed Rate of Investment Return

The State’s largest retirement system voted on September 21, 2012 to reduce its assumed rate of return on investment, a decision that will increase the annual State contribution required by law beginning in FY2014. The Board of Trustees of…

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Update on Section 25 Liabilities: Roughly $3.6 Billion in Deferred Bills in FY2012

Reflecting severe financial pressures, the State of Illinois pushed an estimated $3.6 billion of Medicaid and group health insurance bills from FY2012 into the current fiscal year. The new estimate is based on…

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State Expects to Clear Backlog of Unpaid Income Tax Refunds in FY2013

      Although the State of Illinois is still burdened with a multibillion-dollar backlog of unpaid bills, one…

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State Bonds Downgraded Again But Still Investment Grade

The State of Illinois’ bond rating was reduced again this week but despite being one of the lowest rated state credits it remains well above the level assigned to speculative debt. On August 29, 2012 Standard & Poor’s (S&P)…

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Update: TRS Postpones Investment Rate Decision

The State’s largest retirement system postponed until September a decision on whether to reduce the system’s assumed rate of return on investment — a decision that could result in an increase in the annual State contribution required by…

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Pensions Consume Growing Share of State Revenues

On August 17, 2012, Illinois legislators adjourned a special one-day session of the General Assembly…

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State’s FY2013 Budget Still Missing Significant Components

The State of Illinois’ enacted budget for FY2013 is missing key components needed to carry out the General Assembly’s spending plan, according to a recent filing in…

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Civic Federation Releases Illinois Enterprise Zone Issue Brief

Earlier today, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation intended to add transparency, accountability and competition to the State’s…