Illinois Senate passes firefighter pension bill over mayor's strenuous objections

City Hall says the bill would saddle beleaguered Chicago taxpayers with $18 million in additional costs the first year, $30 million every year after that and $850 million by 2055. With the spotlight focused on the Mike Madigan saga and the Black Caucus push for criminal justice reform, the Illinois Senate voted Monday to raise retirement benefits for 2,200 Chicago firefighters in a way that would saddle beleaguered city taxpayers with $850 million in added costs by 2055.

The bill passed ...