Sixty-one key cities across America have emerged from the Great Recession with a gap of more than $217 billion between what they had promised their workers in pensions and retiree health care and what they had saved to pay that bill, according to a report released today by The Pew Charitable Trusts. more

In the state of Illinois’ current economic climate, it is important to help businesses create and retain jobs needed to revitalize our economy. But there must be assurances the state is making responsible investments. We must critically examine economic development tools currently being used to ensure state dollars are being used efficiently and that taxpayers are getting the best return on every incentive.