Tagged: Senator John Sullivan

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.

Illinois State Senator John Sullivan's office says he underwent successful cancer surgery.

Sullivan’s doctors say they were able to completely remove the liposarcoma.  They do not recommend any further treatment such as chemotherapy. 

Sullivan announced on August 19 that he would undergo the procedure and would be away from his full-time duties for two or three weeks.  Sullivan also said he had a small growth removed from his lower abdomen four years ago.

Illinois State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) said he will take a leave of absence to be treated for a rare form of cancer.

Sullivan said he has liposarcoma. It's a type of cancer that creates a slow growing, painless mass that is usually found in the fat cells of the legs, though it can also be found in the arms, chest, neck, and in the space behind abdominal organs.

Sullivan's office recommends checking the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative website for more information about the cancer.

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.