By Brad Palmer
Okawville, IL – A Southern Illinois lawmaker says Governor Pat Quinn's idea of offering new state employees fewer pension benefits may be the way to go.
State Senator Dave Luechtefeld of Okawville says Illinois' pension system needs reforming because while benefits have increased over the years, the money to pay for them has not. He says the current pension system was also not set up to handle today's longer life expectancies.
Luechtefeld says reducing pension benefits for new state employees could help preserve the system's long-term viability.
But on the other hand, Luechtefeld says one of his biggest concerns about Governor Quinn's budget message is that he may propose raiding the state's pension system and special funds, just as ousted Governor Rod Blagojevich did.
Quinn will deliver his budget proposal at noon tomorrow. You can hear it live on WSIU Radio.
