The Illinois Senate gave the go-ahead to a pension reform bill that will now head to the the House.
Most of the state's public unions impacted by potential reform backed the plan, sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton. The bill is viewed as the "lesser of two evils" by most of the 700,000 active and retired state workers and downstate teachers, after Speaker Mike Madigan's more aggressive version passed in the House.
"With Madigan's proposal, there definitely would be a lawsuit. No question because it just totally devastates our pension system as well as our health insurance programs," said retired Rock Island teacher, Dr. Stewart Adams.
Republicans argue Cullerton's legislation doesn't go far enough to try and plug a 100 billion dollar pension hole.
Cullerton's plan now heads to the House.