It's becoming increasingly unlikely the General Assembly will approve a pension overhaul before adjourning for good on Wednesday.
But Governor Pat Quinn says he's continuing to try. Tuesday is the final full day of the Illinois General Assembly's lame duck session. The Governor kicked it off with a press conference. repeating his standard talking points that Illinois needs to do something to reduce its nearly 100-billion dollar pension liability: “We cannot allow our state economy, the Illinois economy, to be held hostage by political timidity.”
But it doesn't appear there's enough support to get a measure that advanced out of a committee and through the full House. The plan passed out of committee Monday would reduce workers' retirement benefits, while also requiring they pay 2% more into their pensions. Negotiations are continuing, with the sponsors tweaking it in an attempt to win supporters. But insiders admit prospects are dim, and expect it won't be called for a vote Tuesday.
Even if the plan gets through the House, that package would still need to make it through the Senate before noon Wednesday. It’s not certain the Senate will reconvene before the official end of the session on Wednesday. A spokesperson for Senate President John Cullerton says members are on "standby" - in case the House advances a pension proposal. Sen. Cullerton is scheduled to speak to the media early Tuesday afternoon.
The Senate passed a proposal affecting state employees' and legislators' pensions, but doesn't affect teachers' and university employees. Governor Quinn has dismissed the Senate plan saying it does not go far enough.
