(CBS) — Illinois lawmakers will consider landmark legislation to resolve the states $100 billion pension crisis tomorrow in Springfield. But, it won’t be an easy vote, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
The four legislative leaders and Governor Quinn back the pension bill, but Republican State Treasurer Dan Rutherford who is running for governor says he opposes the pension deal, saying it is unconstitutional.
Republican rival Bruce Rauner suggests it is a backroom deal and Kirk Dillard says more time is needed to study it.
But Democratic Representative Elaine Nekritz, one of the architects of the bill, says lawmakers have debated every element of the legislation.
“A lot of the push-back in terms of ‘Oh, we haven’t read the bill’ or ‘It doesn’t go far enough,’ is really politically motivated rather than being motivated by a desire to solve a problem on behalf of Illinois,” said Nekritz.
As for constitutionality, she says the courts can decide that. The unions will challenge it regardless.
