Pension reform

Back to Work for Illinois Legislature

Rich Egger — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:19:42 +0000

Illinois lawmakers began November with an election that solidified Democratic majorities and they will finish the month by returning to the Capitol.

Their annual fall meetings are called veto sessions because lawmakers are supposed to consider legislation the governor rejected or changed. Those could include statewide regulation of plastic bags and a plan to let cancer treatment centers reject job applicants who smoke.

The Roots of the Illinois Pension Crisis

Bill Knight — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 16:51:37 +0000

Most Illinoisans seem torn between anger about state pensioners supposedly getting rich off taxpayers, and concern about state-worker neighbors caught between incompetent lawmakers and greedy credit agencies in cahoots with big banks. The real debate should be one timid types in Springfield (or Washington) avoid: What do citizens want government to do and how will it be funded?

Frese Blames Pension Crisis on Leadership Gap

Rich Egger — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 23:53:35 +0000

Republican Illinois State Senate candidate Randy Frese of Paloma said the state's pension problems are a sign of broken government, which he said was caused by a lack of leadership.

Frese said the pension reform program in Rhode Island could serve as a template for Illinois. He said Rhode Island raised the retirement age, froze the cost of living adjustment (COLA), and implemented a 401K style plan. Frese said the state did so long before it got into a financial hole as deep as the one in Illinois.

Pension Reform Goes Nowhere; Lawmakers Go Home

Rich Egger — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 23:01:20 +0000

No pension legislation moved through the Illinois General Assembly during Friday's special legislative session.

Democrats pushed along a plan to cut pension benefits for state elected politicians and no one else, but opponents -- including Representative Darlene Senger (R-Naperville) -- called the proposal disingenuous.

"I am not going to vote for this. I think it's a farce," said Senger.

"I think we're basically coming out and saying we're doing something and we're absolutely not, and it's a real disservice for those who live in this state."

Quinn: Funding Decline If Higher Ed Pensions Not Changed

Rich Egger — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 22:46:50 +0000

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn's office is touting a one-page analysis claiming higher education will suffer if lawmakers fail to address Illinois' pension problem.

In the so-called study, Quinn's budget office estimates that state funding of higher education will steadily decline over the next five years.

The projections show more money would be needed to pay for university and community college employees' pensions, which would leave less for schools and scholarships for needy students.

Sullivan Opposes Pension Reform Plan

Rich Egger — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 20:29:18 +0000

Democratic Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) support a proposal to shift the pension funding burden from the state to local school districts.

But State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) said there are good reasons to oppose the plan.

“It's a triple whammy for the districts,” Sullivan said. He pointed out:

1) Local districts would be burdened with the responsibility for a major expense.

2) State financial support for school districts continues to decline.

Illinois Lawmakers to Tackle Pension Reform (Again)

Rich Egger — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:09:00 +0000

Governor Pat Quinn has called lawmakers back to Springfield for a one-day special session to reform the state's pension systems.

But so far he doesn't have a plan beyond that.

"We've had proposals this year, we've had a working group this year, we've had discussions and negotiations this year," Quinn said.

"It's time to vote. It's time to show the people where the legislators stand on the foremost fiscal challenge that faces Illinois today, tomorrow or forever."

Illinois Pension Talks Turn to School Funding Issues

Rich Egger — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 01:19:10 +0000

It's doubtful Illinois' pension crisis will be resolved soon.

Legislative leaders and the governor met Thursday, June 21 to discuss whether the state or local school districts should pay retirement costs for downstate and suburban teachers. The state picks up the tab now, but it doesn't pay for Chicago teachers' retirement benefits.

After the meeting, top lawmakers said they're going to spend five weeks studying school funding equality. Then they'll work on what to do about Illinois' hugely underfunded government pensions.

Crunch Time for Illinois Lawmakers

Rich Egger — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:35:35 +0000

Illinois lawmakers are heading into the home stretch of their 2012 session. But they still need to approve a budget before they can adjourn.

They've been working for months to try figuring out how they can cut two of the state's biggest expenses: pensions and Medicaid.

Some lawmakers are not pleased with the pace.

"Well, why would you be concerned? We've got two and a half weeks left. We've got all the time in the world to fix our problems here in the state of Illinois,” remarked Representative Joe Lyons (D-Chicago).

Illinois House Votes to Eliminate Perk for Retirees

Rich Egger — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:33:09 +0000

Longtime state employees in Illinois would no longer be able get free health insurance when they retire under legislation (SB 1313) approved by the Illinois House on May 9.

The vote is part of a push to cut pension benefits for government retirees. The governor, House speaker and other politicians want to save money by cutting pensions, health care and other costs.