Quinn to Renew Pension Shift Push in Special Session

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn called last week for a special session of the General Assembly to tackle pension reform.

The Illinois House was already going to be back in Springfield during the session's scheduled time—Aug. 17— to decide the fate of indicted Rep. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago), the Chicago Tribune reports. But the governor's pension call means the Senate must also convene.

Quinn made the announcement during a speech July 30 at the City Club of Chicago, calling on lawmakers to deal with "comprehensive" reforms that address the state's $83 billion unfunded pension liability.

The state legislature  during its regular spring session in May, despite last-minute efforts to strike a deal.

Quinn said lawmakers "can't afford to wait another moment" to address the state's massive pension liability, which is growing by millions each day and taking revenue from education, health care and other public serves, according to a Reuters report.

"It's time to vote," Quinn said. "See you in Springfield."

Quinn renews push for pension shift

According to a CBS 2 Chicago report, Quinn is renewing the push for a controversial plan that would shift the cost of teacher pensions to local school districts over 12 years.

The shift, which was sponsored by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) during the spring legislative session, would hold suburban and downstate school districts—and ultimately taxpayers—responsible for the pension contribution typically made by the state.

Of the state's $83 billion pension liability, $44 billion is from the TRS.

"There is a concept in America that we all try to live under, which is called responsibility," Madigan said of the proposed shift.

In May, Quinn convinced Madigan to drop the proposal, and allow Cross to pass a plan without the pension shift. However, Cross was unable to secure enough support for his plan, and pension reformed stalled.

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