Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says he's open to delaying implementation of the pension reform while it's being challenged in court.
Quinn's comments came Friday during an appearance before the annual meeting of the Illinois Education Association. The law Quinn signed last year is scheduled to take effect with the start of the next fiscal year on June 1. Quinn says delaying it would require some cooperation from both sides in the lawsuit: "I'm open-minded on that, I think the various participants would have to request a stay."
Quinn says he's willing to talk about that possibility with Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Several challenges to the pension reform law have been consolidated into one lawsuit, which will be heard in Springfield, though it's unknown how long it could take courts to make a ruling.
Quinn also said he's be willing to work with the same unions suing the state on a different solution if the law is overturned by the courts.