Financial impact of police, fire pension laws

SPRINGFIELD - A recently released state report examined the financial effects over the past five budget years of state pension laws increasing benefits for local police and firefighters. Five communities were chosen for the study - Arlington Heights, Bellwood, Champaign, Springfield and Wilmette.

The study found the laws added millions of additional costs to the local budgets.

The costs to the communities were:

Arlington Heights: $2,418,070

Bellwood: $711,406

Champaign: $2,468,557

Springfield: $5,023,305

Wilmette: $1,525,367

Source: Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability