Illinois legislators prove hypocritical and greedy when refusing legislative pensions

In case you missed it, the Pantagraph's Kurt Erickson reported on a number of state legislators who have publicly refused their state legislative pensions.

Take for example Democrat State Rep. Sue Scherer (photo right). Last week she tumpeted her decison to forego joining the Illinois General Assembly Retirement System. But, according to the Illinois Teachers Retirement System, Scherer is already collecting a $5,084 per month state pension check after retiring from her teaching job in May with 33 years of service.

And then there is Republican State Rep. Josh Harms (photo right) who stated that "foregoing a [state legislative] pension will help him make clearer decisions on the financial future of the state." However, before joining the House, he was a special education teacher earning about $43,000 annually. He remains a member of the Illinois Teachers Retirement System and will receive a pension as a result.

Don't forget Democrat State Sen. Andy Manar (photo right), who also proclaimed that he's not joining the General Assembly pension system. Of course, he is already a member of the State Employees Retirement System after previously working as a member of the Senate staff; from which he'll collect a handsome pension.

Only in Illinois.