Politics & Government

Illinois Pension Reform: How Did Your Representative Vote?

The Illinois House Thursday approved a controversial plan to eliminate the state's $100 billion pension debt.

By Steven Jack

The Illinois Senate may soon vote on House Speaker Michael Madigan’s pension reform plan that passed the House Thursday.

The bill passed by a vote of 62-51 and seeks to eliminate the state’s $100 billion retirement system debt. Illinois ranks dead last in the nation when it comes to funding its public pension plan, according to WBEZ.

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The bill asks state workers for less in future cost-of-living increases, an increase in the retirement age for workers under the age of 46 and asks for more money to be taken from state employee paychecks.

The bill may have difficulty making it through the Senate where Senate Leader John Cullerton supports a different plan that gives workers the option of pay increases or government-funded health care in retirement, WBEZ reported.

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Even if Madigan’s bill is approved by the Senate, it is certain to receive legal challenges from state employee unions, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Madigan has said if the bill passes, a court order would be required to keep up the state’s current pension obligations while the legal battle played out, the Tribune said.

Rep. reSo, did your local representative vote for Madigan's bill?

Representative Vote Renee Kosel (R-Mokena) Y



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