Illinois lawmakers said “no” Thursday to four different pension reform plans, while the Republican minority in the House boycotted the votes, saying the process was not being taken seriously.
“It’s nothing but a joke,” said Republican House Leader Tom Cross, according to Reuters News Service.
The pension system in Illinois is underfunded by 96 billion dollars, the worst in the country.
The Illinois House soundly defeated four different plans for reform. It voted no on raising the retirement age for public sector workers, freezing the cost of living increases for current workers and retirees, and making government workers contribute 5% more to the cost of their pensions.
