By: Eric Zorn 26 April 2012 “Q: Why should I care about teacher pensions if I’m not a teacher? A: Because even though Illinois is putting $2.4 billion into the Teachers’ Retirement System this year, that system still accounts for …

“Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s proposal that public employees pay more for pensions is the latest in a series of efforts by dozens of states to control escalating retirement burdens. ‘Bold action’ is required to save the state’s underfunded plans, the …

“Cook County Annuity & Benefit Fund, Chicago, needs drastic pension reform, including an increase to employee and employer contributions, to prevent the pension fund from becoming insolvent in 2038, according to a report by county Commissioner Bridget Gainer, chairwoman of …

“While many in Illinois already knew about the state’s pension woes, a recent report indicated the county’s pension funds could be empty in 26 years. A new analysis led by Bridget Gainer, chairwoman of the board’s pension oversight panel, found …

“The state of Illinois and city of Chicago aren’t the only entities dealing with pension problems. Cook County’s pension fund could go broke within 26 years without drastic changes, according to a report driven by county Commissioner Bridget Gainer. Gainer …