Gov. Rauner To Pursue Pension Plan Regardless Of High Court Ruling
Gov. Bruce Rauner visits with employees of Combe Laboratories in Rantoul on March 11. (Jeff Bossert/WILL)
Union members and state employees can expect another pension battle ahead - regardless of what the state Supreme Court says about Illinois' landmark 20-13 law.
The jury - in this case, that's the state's high court - is still out on whether a law that reduces state employees' and retirees' benefits is legal.
There's a lot riding on the answer; projections are that it'll save the state $137 billion over the next few decades.
But Gov. Bruce Rauner says that's not enough.
"Our plan saves far more money and is more reasonable," Rauner said in a visit to Rantoul last week. "And frankly if we did both, that'd be even better for taxpayers. But I believe ours is more reasonable, more fair."
Rauner - a Republican - says he doesn't like that the current law slices retirees' benefits.
His proposal affects only state workers, teachers and university professors who are still working.
Under Rauner's idea, they'd either earn smaller pensions going forward, or take a lump sum payout they could use to start a 401(k) style plan.
Links
- Comptroller Munger Not Immune To Disagreeing With Gov. Rauner
- Emanuel: Rauner Budget Is ‘Wrong Approach’
- Quinn Criticizes Rauner At Rare Public Appearance
- Rauner Nominates Alumni To U of I Board
- Illinois Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments On Pension Overhaul
- Supreme Court To Hear Arguments On Pension Law
- Oral Arguments Scheduled In Pension Lawsuit
- Forget Pensions And Salaries: Medicaid Biggest Piece Of Rauner’s Budget Pie
- Judge Rejects Request For More Time In Illinois Pension Case
- Lawyers Ask Judge to Delay Pension Law Hearing
- Judge Rules Illinois’ Pension Law Unconstitutional
- Illinois Pension Case Might Head To Supreme Court