Tag Archives: pension

In A Jumble Of Pension Proposals, Two Make It Out Of The House

A pair of pension measures met success in the Illinois House yesterday – a day after a Senate panel approved two other proposals.  Supporters of overhauling the state’s underfunded pension systems see it as a sign it could happen this … Continue reading

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Memo Outlines How Much State Retirees Could Have To Pay For Health Care

Governor Pat Quinn’s tentative agreement with the state’s largest government-employee union would finally implement a law to make retired state workers pay for their health care, regardless of ability to pay, or how long they worked. According to a memo … Continue reading

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Senate President Urges House To Pass Pension Plan For State Employees

Negotiations for a complete overhaul of Illinois’ underfunded pension systems continue.  But the president of the state Senate continues to push for a measure his chamber approved months ago. In May, the Senate passed legislation that reduces state workers’ and … Continue reading

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New Pension Plan: A Fresh Start? Or Dead On Arrival?

A pension debt topping $96 billion – and counting – continues to plague Illinois. Many prior attempts to do something about it have resulted in defeat. Now a dozen rank-and-file legislators are making a go of it. They unveiled a … Continue reading

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Unions Disrupt Democratic Rally Claiming Quinn’s UnFAIR

Unions caused a ruckus yesterday at a Democratic rally at the Illinois State Fair.  Although labor unions have historically been backers of Democrats, protesters instead booed them, and called Governor Pat Quinn a liar.  Labor unions say it’s time Quinn and other … Continue reading

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AFSCME Contract Extended After Failure To Reach Agreement

Illinois’ largest public-employee union and Governor Pat Quinn’s administration have been unable to agree to a new contract for the union’s 40-thousand state workers.  But they were able to agree to temporarily extend the current contract, while talks continue.  As … Continue reading

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Chicago Not Alone In Calling For Pension Cuts

For the first time since he became mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel visited the state capitol.  His visit focused on the same issue that’s consuming state leaders … the rising cost of pensions.   Like Governor Pat Quinn did last month, … Continue reading

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Gov: Pension Report Coming Soon

Illinois will have to wait a little longer for a solution to the state’s pension funding problems. Gov. Pat Quinn’s pension working group missed Tuesday’s deadline for delivering its report. Brian Mackey has more: [mp3 - 0:57 - 0.9 MB]

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Constitutional Amendment Targets ‘Pension Sweeteners’

It would be harder for the Illinois legislature to increase state employee pensions under a measure that won House committee approval Tuesday. As Brian Mackey reports, House Speaker Michael Madigan is sponsoring the proposal himself. [mp3 – 0:59 – 0.9 … Continue reading

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Pension Abuse Crackdown Now Law

Governor Pat Quinn signed a law today intended to keep a few union officials from collecting government employee pensions. Illinois lawmakers passed the measure after reports that two lobbyists would have collected the same pensions that usually go to teachers … Continue reading

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