Springfield, Ill. (AP) -- A wide open
debate on possible fixes for the state's pension mess is set for the Illinois
House.
House Speaker Michael Madigan has scheduled a hearing for Thursday.
Lawmakers are expected to vote on pension changes he is proposing.
A provision among the changes calls for penalizing retirement before age
67 with reduced benefits.
Another measure requires employees hired after January 2011 to pay an
additional 5 percent toward their pensions on top of other contributions.
Riverside Democratic state Rep. Michael Zalewski says the expected votes
are intended to gauge lawmakers' support for some potential reforms.
Zalewski says there's been enough talk about the changes and now is the
time for legislators to actually show where they stand.
Online: https://www.ilga.gov
The Madigan bills are HB1154, HB1165, and
HB1166.
