* From the Illinois Policy Institute…

Public employee unions balked at pension reform when it was introduced this spring because they claim government workers already have “paid their fair share” by kicking in “8 percent, 9 percent or more from each paycheck” to their retirement funds.

But when it comes to public school teachers in Illinois, paying their own way to retirement isn’t the norm.

An analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute of data from the Teachers’ Retirement System, the Illinois State Board of Education and hundreds of teacher contracts found that in nearly two-thirds of districts across the state, teachers don’t contribute the full “employee share” toward their pensions. In fact, most of these districts don’t require their teachers to contribute anything toward their own retirement. Instead, the contributions are paid for or “picked up” by school districts – and by extension, local taxpayers. During the 2009-10 school year alone, this little-known perk cost taxpayers more than $430 million. This subsidy is on top of what the state – and by extension, state taxpayers – pay into the teachers’ retirement funds through district-paid employer contributions and state funding. To give a recent example, in 2010, the state paid more than $2.2 billion toward TRS to cover the “employer share” of the benefits.

What they don’t say is that taxpayers are gonna pay one way or another. These pension pickups were negotiated by teachers unions, usually in lieu of pay raises. So, the districts will either pay for raises or pick up pension payments. It’s a wash.

*** UPDATE *** Actually, it’s not a wash. This saves taxpayer money in the long run. As a commenter noted, by not taking a pay raise, the teachers are foregoing higher pensions. Their pensions are based on their salaries, not their salaries plus a pension pickup. No salary increase means their future pensions aren’t increased.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* Speaking of pensions, this is from Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s own budget proposal analysis…

CPS Reimbursement: $32.5 million in increased pension reimbursement from CPS

All government agencies need to stand on their own financial footing. The City should not be paying for pensions for employees of other agencies. CPS should be responsible for all of its own pension obligations. This is the smokes and mirrors way of budgeting of the past.

* Receive reimbursement of 50 percent of pension costs for CPS non-teacher pensions, and commitment for full reimbursement in future years.

So, the mayor moves that pension funding off his budget, but the schools will have to find a way to pay for it with more cuts.

Also, over 21 percent of Emanuel’s $238 million “Investments, Financing and Growth” section of his budget is from a one-time source - refinancing city debt. And then there’s this…

When Mayor Rahm Emanuel trotted out his city vehicle sticker fee hike, he billed it as a modest $15 increase aimed at those who drive SUVs and trucks that cause the most damage to city streets.

What the mayor didn’t highlight is a change he’s pushing in how those large passenger vehicles are defined. Instead of setting the bar at 4,500 pounds, as it is now, Emanuel wants it set at 4,000 pounds.

Such a change means 184,000 more Chicago vehicles would fall under a pricier sticker class. And their owners would pay $60 more for a sticker.

* Ford UAW contract vote totals so far…

On Thursday, the union said the running tally nationally was 3,256 in favor and 3,915 against.

Oy.

* The Tribune has a story about a suburb contemplating banning drivers from eating. It’s your basic he-said, she said, and not once is this finding mentioned from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration…

Eating while driving is about as dangerous as manually dialing a cell phone, but less distracting as reading or changing CDs.

The top ten foods to avoid while driving…

1. Coffee. Even with a travel lid, hot coffee can find its way out of the opening when you hit a bump.

2. Hot soup. Many people drink it like coffee and run the same risks.

3. Tacos. Any food that can disassemble itself will leave your car looking like a salad bar.

4. Chili dogs. Huge potential for drips and slops down the front of clothing.

5. Hamburgers. From the grease to the toppings, it could end up on your hands and the steering wheel.

6. Ribs and wings. What’s more distracting than licking your fingers?

7. Fried chicken. More greasy hands. You’ve got to wipe them off while you’re driving.

8. Jelly donuts. It’s not possible to eat one without watching the center ooze out.

9. Soda. Carbonation. Fizz in the nose. Lids that leak. Disaster.

10. Chocolate. Try to clean melted chocolate off the steering wheel without swerving.