Quinn Stops Short Of Endorsing Pension Deal

Gov. Pat Quinn says there are "a lot of good ideas'' in a pension reform proposal, but he's stopping short of a full endorsement of the deal.

The Chicago Democrat said the 10-member legislative panel working on a $138.9 billion savings plan needs to get details finished on the legislation so lawmakers can schedule a vote.
 
Quinn said he has seen a number of the plan details and has been "working back and forth'' with committee members. Quinn's Friday remarks follow Senate President John Cullerton's public endorsement of the plan.
 
The state faces a $100 billion unfunded pension liability due to lawmakers shorting or skipping payments.
 
Lawmakers say a vote may not happen during the October veto session. But Quinn said the pension crisis is an emergency that shouldn't be postponed.