By Mike Flannery, FOX 32 News Political Editor - bio
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
After months of secret discussions, 19 Illinois House members Wednesday plan to offer their solution to the state's worst-in-America public employee pension crisis.
Sources gave some details to Fox 32 News. They said it would offer new long term pension guarantees to suburban and Downstate teachers, as well as to state employees. But it would require them to pay an additional two percent of their salaries and would raise the retirement age by one to five years. The biggest source of savings for taxpayers, though, would be a proposed reduction in annual cost of living raises. Under the current system, state government pensions double in about 20 years. It's a big reason Illinois taxpayers now face an unfunded pension liability of up to $140 billion or more.
An advisory about Wednesday's 10 a.m. Springfield news conference in the State Capitol identified Northbrook's Democratic Rep. Elaine Nekritz as a prime mover of the proposal.
Among co-sponsors in the House:
Rep. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston; Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Oak Lawn; Rep. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago; Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago; Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston; Rep. David Harris, R-Mt. Prospect; Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago; Rep. Karen May, D-Highwood; Rep. Chris Nybo, R-Lombard; Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago; Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Summit.
The proposal would impact pensions paid to suburban and Downstate teachers by the Teachers Retirement System; to members of the General Assembly Retirement System; to higher education employees by the State University Retirement System and to rank and file state workers by the State Employees Retirement System.
A source said the group of 19 legislators hope the Illinois House will vote on their pension reform proposal in the first few days of 2013. The lame-duck General Assembly will convene Jan. 3rd. Newly-elected members of the House and Senate are scheduled to be sworn in at noon on Jan. 9th.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Tuesday, February 5 2013 3:09 PM EST2013-02-05 20:09:54 GMT
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Britain is bracing for clashes with right-wing extremists and possible copycat terror attacks after the slaying of a young soldier, adding some 1,200 police to potential trouble spots.
Britain is bracing for clashes with right-wing activists and possible copycat terror attacks by Islamic extremists after the savage slaying of a young soldier, whose grieving family spoke Friday of their loss.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:32 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:32:16 GMT
Some aldermen have questions as a City Council committee gets ready to hold a hearing on Mayor Emanuel's proposed changes to the Chicago parking meter deal.
Some aldermen have questions as a City Council committee gets ready to hold a hearing on Mayor Emanuel's proposed changes to the Chicago parking meter deal.
Former Chicago Bears lineman and FOX contributor Dan Jiggetts is an advocate for preventing the sale of high capacity ammunition magazines in Illinois. He's also working on Rocky's Law with Governor Quinn.
Former Chicago Bears lineman and FOX contributor Dan Jiggetts is an advocate for preventing the sale of high capacity ammunition magazines in Illinois. He's also working on Rocky's Law with Governor Quinn.
Amid lingering concerns about his national security policies, President Barack Obama is outlining measures to clarify the deadly use of drones against terror suspects.
President Barack Obama sought Thursday to advance the U.S. beyond the unrelenting war effort of the past dozen years, defining a narrower terror threat from smaller networks and homegrown extremists rather than the grandiose...
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:36 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:36:47 GMT
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:18:06 GMT
Illinois legislation allowing public possession of concealed guns has passed the House Judiciary Committee. It was a compromise backed by Speaker Michael Madigan.
Illinois legislation allowing public possession of concealed guns has passed the House Judiciary Committee. It was a compromise backed by Speaker Michael Madigan.
Anthony Weiner's run for a renaissance is officially on.
Anthony Weiner knows there may be a lot of New Yorkers who would never consider voting for him again, but he says he's running for mayor because he wants to bring his ideas to the fore - and win.
Jacqueline Goldberg, 87, lost her $6 million lawsuit against Donald Trump on Thursday. Goldberg's attorney, Shelly Kulwin, spoke with FOX 32 News about the verdict in the Chicago condo trial.
Jacqueline Goldberg, 87, lost her $6 million lawsuit against Donald Trump on Thursday. Goldberg's attorney, Shelly Kulwin, spoke with FOX 32 News about the verdict in the Chicago condo trial.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:58 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:58:00 GMT
CTA Ventra payment card holders who use the card's controversial debit features won't be charged for talking to public transit customer service operators or using the cards for cash ATM withdrawals.
CTA Ventra payment card holders who use the card's controversial debit features won't be charged for talking to public transit customer service operators or using the cards for cash ATM withdrawals.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:51 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:51:23 GMT
Hawthorne Scholastic Academy Principal Nate Petrini spent the night on the roof of his school after losing a bet with his students. He challenged his students to a read-a-thon, and they answered the call.
Hawthorne Scholastic Academy Principal Nate Petrini spent the night on the roof of his school after losing a bet with his students. He challenged his students to a read-a-thon, and they answered the call.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:14 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:14:37 GMT
An Evanston high school varsity baseball team will not play in the playoff tournament this weekend after a group of students, including team members, allegedly "sexted" risque photos to each other.
An Evanston high school varsity baseball team will not play in the playoff tournament this weekend after a group of students, including team members, allegedly "sexted" risque photos to each other.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:00 AM EDT2013-05-24 14:00:34 GMT
The Chicago Bears will retire former head coach Mike Ditka's No. 89. The Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end's number will be officially retired during halftime at the Bears' Monday Night Football game Dec. 9.
The Chicago Bears will retire former head coach Mike Ditka's No. 89. The Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end's number will be officially retired during halftime at the Bears' Monday Night Football game Dec. 9.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:35 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:35:46 GMT
Even though the Chicago Board of Education approved the largest public school closure in American history this week, the fight is not over. Opponents will get their day in court.
Even though the Chicago Board of Education approved the largest public school closure in American history this week, the fight is not over. Opponents will get their day in court.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:32 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:32:16 GMT
Some aldermen have questions as a City Council committee gets ready to hold a hearing on Mayor Emanuel's proposed changes to the Chicago parking meter deal.
Some aldermen have questions as a City Council committee gets ready to hold a hearing on Mayor Emanuel's proposed changes to the Chicago parking meter deal.
