State employees will learn Friday whether a judge believes a law that reduces their pension benefits is constitutional. Sangamon County Court Judge John Belz says he'll issue a written opinion Friday afternoon.
Belz's decision is to be made public just 24 hours after he heard oral arguments in the case.
At issue is whether lawmakers defied the Illinois Constitution by passing a law that reduces state workers', public school teachers' and university employees' retirement benefits.
Or if, as the state argues, Illinois' financial situation is so bleak -- in part because of pension debt -- that it's an emergency.
A-house-is-burning, break-the-windows-style emergency. Lawyers for the state say the Illinois Constitution considers membership in a pension system to be contractual relationship. And contracts can be modified when there's an emergency.
But attorneys representing unions and retirees say Illinois' Constitution is unambiguous when it says pension benefits "shall not be diminished or impaired."
However Judge Belz rules, the case is expected to eventually go to the Illinois Supreme Court.