SPRINGFIELD - If you're anticipating that Illinois Democratic leadership is meeting behind closed doors, preparing to set up a radical revamp that will salvage the billion-indebted pension system and get it started on a better path in 2013, don't waste your energies. AFSCME and the Illinois Federation of Teachers have soundly rejected State Rep. Elaine Nekritz and Governor Pat Quinn's proposal of limiting COLAs, calling it "illegal," Chicago Crain's reported Wednesday.
The unions suggest their members might be willing to pay a little more of their share, but only if the state begins paying into the pension coffers fully and on time. In addition, the unions want corporate tax "loopholes" closed, recent tax breaks to financial exchanges repealed and satellite TV service taxes instituted.
The unions have unified efforts in an ad hoc coalition "We Are One," and made similar demands over the past year. In the past, their demands were considered non-starters and bolster the mindset that the General Assembly will vote on nothing addressing the pension crisis in the January 2013 lame duck session.
More at Chicago Crain's.
