With the new year comes the annual process of crafting a new state budget. Money will be tight, despite a pension law that's supposed to save $160 billion dollars over the next 30 years.Amanda Vinicky reports on how pension savings probably won't come in time for the next budget, if ever
Legislators who voted to cut state employees' and teachers' retirement benefits say they had no choice. Nearly a fifth of the state budget was going into Illinois' pension systems. Meaning there was less money to spend elsewhere. The pension law is supposed to ease that so-called "squeeze."
But Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan has made clear -- Gov. Pat Quinn should not factor in the pension law's savings when he introduces a new spending plan, because he expects the courts will order a stay: "So all of the changes that will bring on cost savings just won't go into operation, until we get an order from the Supreme Court," Madigan said.
That's echoed by Republican Treasurer Dan Rutherford:
"As a prudent steward of state resources, I would be very hesitant on booking these savings until the final disposition of it is known," Rutherford said.
Already, two lawsuits have been filed, and more are expected. Unions say the law defies a clause in the state constitution that says pension benefits shall not be diminished.
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