The Illinois Supreme Court ruled the state constitution's pension protection clause prevents any diminishment of health care benefits for state retirees. According to Crain's,the 6-1 decision said the clause overrode the state's argument that its police powers, applied to dealing with the state's budget crisis, justified a recalculation of what retirees must pay for their health benefits.
The Chicago Tribune reportsJustice Anne Burke dissented. The action reverses a ruling by a Sangamon County Circuit Court judge and returns the case to the lower court for further action.