SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) offered strong criticism of Senate President John Cullerton for cancelling Friday’s scheduled session day and starting a two week vacation for the chamber early.
“It’s irresponsible for the Senate to take a vacation while the pension debt compounds by millions of dollars every day,” said Senator Barickman. “If President Cullerton and other leaders in Illinois government were serious about actually fixing the problem, we would be in Springfield, working together to find a comprehensive solution.”
Senator Barickman says a pension bill passed by the Senate Wednesday, which specifically targets new and existing teachers, does not adequately address the financial distress faced by the state’s five pension systems.
“The bill President Cullerton passed this week was nothing more than a piecemeal approach to the problem,” said Senator Barickman. “We need comprehensive reform that is fair and constitutional.”
Senator Barickman says instead of spending two weeks on vacation, legislative leaders and Governor Quinn should negotiate comprehensive pension reform and bring the bill for a vote before both chambers immediately.
