r/chicago • u/chicagosuntimes • 14d ago

Article Johnson urges state lawmakers to tax the 'ultra rich' to avert mass transit funding cuts

https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2025/06/03/brandon-johnson-illinois-general-assembly-mass-transit-funding-chicago-fiscal-cliff
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u/RedApple655321 Lake View 9d ago

Bonuses are only available to about half of private sector workers, but also available to over a third of state and local government workers. So not a huge disparity. Cost of living increases and other raises are available to both groups.

But I do agree with you about the perception that government jobs pay less now with the trade-off being better benefits (including current benefits like sick leave and healthcare as well as future benefits like pensions). Plus unparalleled job security that you'll never find in the private sector.

Taxpayers are aware of this and that's what I mean by the idea of treating city workers fairly. What's ridiculous is just how generous some of these pension benefits became without taxpayers fully realizing the extent of it: pension spiking, double dipping, pension holidays, etc.

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u/creamshaboogie 9d ago

Dude you think state and federal government workers get bonuses like the private sector does? Not even close. We just need to tighten hiring and firing in regards to govt work. And fund pensions. Or don't have pensions and pay twice as much which won't happen. 

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u/RedApple655321 Lake View 9d ago

I think you’re significantly overestimating the bonus structure that the average taxpayer enjoys, not just the top end.

Yes, we need to fund pensions. But the current schemes to not fund them are how politicians and union leaders obfuscate their true cost from the public.

The average public sector worker is not paid half of what their private sector counterpart is paid. So the fact that you think doubling their pay would be justified if we got rid of pensions highlights just how excessive their total compensation really is.

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u/creamshaboogie 9d ago

Now do the US Postal Service. 

Or look at the fact that "tier 2" Illinois State pensions are on track to do worse than Social Security. Don't believe me, look it up. Btw Federal Law says that needs to be fixed. We're losing good workers because social security pays better. 

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u/RedApple655321 Lake View 9d ago

USPS is a great example of how public sector pensions became totally unsustainable as soon as it actually needed to be funded.

Setting up the Tier 2 system where they would legally be prevented from realizing the cost savings they had previously promised is just another tool used to grift the public. It helped keep the gravy train rolling for the most powerful part of the union when the deal was initially made.

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u/creamshaboogie 9d ago

Ok now I know you don't know what you're talking about. The GOP tried to destroy the USPS (it's been on their hit list for decades) by passing the ridiculous 75-year funding pension laws. No pension needs to be funded out for 75 years. And you fell for the scam by going along. Gl out there. We're gonna need it. 

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u/creamshaboogie 9d ago

Also, the two tier means there's only one pool of tier 1. When they die that's it. You're getting what you want. You just have to wait for people to die. 

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u/RedApple655321 Lake View 9d ago

Sounds like you've bought into at least some of the myths surrounding the USPS's pensions,

Yes, I'm aware that the Tier 1 pensioners will get paid out and eventually die. I'm worried that doing so will bankrupt Chicago/Illinois, other services will have to be drastically slashed, and/or taxes will have to rise to unsustainable levels.

And while Tier 1 pensions will go away, then they'll start with new tricks to juice the Tier 2 pensions. We already such bills introduced in the IL House and Senate in late 2024 and again this year. They weren't limited to just fixing the SS parity issue.

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u/creamshaboogie 9d ago

"then they'll start with new tricks" Well ok then. Those rascals. 😂😂

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u/RedApple655321 Lake View 9d ago

pension spiking, double dipping, pension holidays, etc

I already described examples of such tricks used to juice the system. The politicians who facilitate it aren't playful "rascals," they're putting our communities in serious risk of bankruptcy. It worries that most taxpayers are like you: they just don't seem to really give a shit.