Illinois Governor Pat Quinn says he thinks lawmakers in the next two weeks will break a stalemate over competing pension reform plans. The General Assembly is scheduled to wrap up its legislative session at the end of the month.
Quinn has said his top priority is addressing the state’s pension system, the worst-funded in the country. Monday, Quinn said lawmakers have as much of a motivation to pass a bill as he does.
“All the legislators ran, every one of them, and they campaigned on pension reform. So this is their moment, their hour for history to pass something that’s comprehensive and I think everyone understands how important that is.”
Quinn says the bill passed by state senators needs some improvement because it might not save enough money. That bill forces some state employees to choose between health care or pay raises in retirement.