(IL) Lawmakers convening special session on pensions

[unhappycamper]

http://www.adn.com/2013/12/02/3209580/lawmakers-convening-special-session.html



FOR USE MONDAY DEC. 2 AND THEREAFTER - FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2012 file photo Mike Phillips, and other union protesters, supporters, and labor leaders boo Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn in protest saying he is betraying the Democratic party's tradition of supporting working men and women, during Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. As lawmakers prepare to address a breakthrough solution to the state's $100 billion unfunded pension liability, the unions that represent Illinois' government employees are mobilizing against it. The members of the "We are One Coalition" are preparing to descend on the offices of lawmakers they think they can persuade to vote no when the General Assembly convenes beginning Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013 in Springfield.

Lawmakers convening special session on pensions
By KERRY LESTER and SARA BURNETT
The Associated Press
December 2, 2013 Updated 9 minutes ago

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers were poised Tuesday to vote on a plan to solve the state's $100 billion pension crisis — a proposal many are calling the most important vote of their careers and one that could deeply reduce the retirement benefits of hundreds of thousands of workers and retirees.

Gov. Pat Quinn and other supporters on Monday stressed the importance of the vote, saying approving the legislation is a crucial step toward improving Illinois' disastrous financial situation. Quinn, a Chicago Democrat, planned to travel to the state Capitol in Springfield and said he would meet with as many legislators as possible to try to get them to vote yes.

"I think (this is) the most important fiscal vote that will ever be taken by the General Assembly in my lifetime," he said Monday at an unrelated event. "We need to erase the liability and move Illinois forward. That's what I'm committed to and I think everyone who is interested in the future of Illinois, the common good, what's good for taxpayers should join us in urging a yes vote."

Illinois has the worst-funded pension systems of any state in the nation, primarily because lawmakers failed for decades to make the state's full payments to the funds.

[leftyohiolib]

1. this makes my blood boil they dont fund the fund then say the problem's too big to fix

this pension fund represents people's wages that will now be stolen

[Gidney N Cloyd]

2. The bill also outlaws unions from participating in future pension negotiations!

The 'reasoning' being that since unions contribute to politicians campaign funds it's therefore corrupt to have the unions and politicians sit down across a table and negotiate.
Try that reasoning next time ADM or Caterpiller wants a tax break, Springfield. Pass a law that says they can't deal with you directly.