Cal City gets slight decline in insurance rate for upcoming year

CALUMET CITY | Municipal government will receive a slight decline in the amount of money it has to pay in the upcoming year for insurance to cover its property and legal liability.

D. 215 braces for potential financial issues

CALUMET CITY | Superintendent Creg Williams on Tuesday told members of the District 215 School Board their budget is at the mercy of outside forces.

The jumbo loan market is growing, and that’s good news for everyone

Railroad deal, consultants fuel Gary airport expansion overruns

Documents obtained by The Times show how a Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority anxious to show progress on an ambitious expansion project let costs escalate to a point where it now must make a last-minute plea for funds.

Better to have prudent spending than problems later

In the Nov. 22 edition of The Times, I read that Indiana is seriously worried about decreasing casino revenues and the effect on the budget. On the same page I saw that we Hoosier taxpayers will each be receiving a tax credit of $111 come tax time in 2013.

East Chicago City Council calls special session on municipal employee pay

EAST CHICAGO | No pay cuts for municipal employees are planned for next year, but the City Council on Monday postponed voting on a proposed salary ordinance for a few days.

Past East Chicago financial practices flagged, corrected

EAST CHICAGO | Years of irregular accounting practices pointed out by state regulators have already been corrected, according to city financial authorities.

City Council OKs cuts to future mayor's benefits

CALUMET CITY | The City Council again tried to adopt an ordinance to reduce the expense account and other perks Calumet City's mayor will receive, beginning with the official chosen in the 2013 election cycle.

E.C. worker pay cuts remain option

EAST CHICAGO | The possibility of pay cuts for city employees to prevent further layoffs loomed large in last week's discussions about next year's budget.

Financial warning for school districts getting louder

SAUK VILLAGE | Rob Grossi has been the Bloom Township treasurer since 1986. For the past 26 years, he has worked with more than two dozen local school districts on their annual budget.

Willowcreek students get a taste of finances during Reality Store

Eighth-grader Vince Lattanzi discusses his finances with adults Thursday during the Reality Store at Willowcreek Middle School in Portage. Students who participated in the event chose a career and made a series of life decisions.

Willowcreek students get a taste of finances during Reality Store

Eighth-grader Anna Kapcia gets help balancing her checkbook Thursday from volunteer Terry Hardin during the Reality Store at Willowcreek Middle School in Portage.

Willowcreek students get a taste of finances during Reality Store

Eighth-grader Sarah Hicke, right, gets advice on her finances from Lisa Kizer of First State Bank of Porter during the Reality Store on Thursday at Willowcreek Middle School in Portage.

Willowcreek students get a taste of finances during Reality Store

A Willowcreek Middle School student balances a checkbook Thursday during the school's Reality Store, an event aimed at teaching students about managing finances.

Willowcreek students get a taste of finances during Reality Store

Willowcreek Middle School eighth-graders participate Thursday in the Reality Store. Students chose a career, received a "salary" and made a series of mock financial decisions. The goal was to have money left over for retirement.

Willowcreek students get a taste of finances during Reality Store

Eighth-grader William Power, left, scratches his head while learning about a random life event from volunteer Terry Hardin on Thursday during the Reality Store at Willowcreek Middle School in Portage. The Reality Store teaches students about financial decisions, such as mortgage payments, st…

Willowcreek students get a taste of finances during Reality Store

Eighth-grader Vince Lattanzi, right, receives help with his finances from Aflac insurance representative Brian Robbins on Thursday during the Reality Store at Willowcreek Middle School in Portage. The event sponsored by Purdue North Central and the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce gave st…