Tax advocacy group proposes Illinois pension solution

Posted on June 29, 2015
Illinois capitol building
Illinois lawmakers saw their 2013 pension reform bill shot down by the state Supreme Court. (WJBC file photo)

By John Gregory/Illinoios Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – A three-part solution to the state’s pension problems is being suggested by a tax advocacy group.

Step one, according to Jared Labell, director of operations for Taxpayers United of America, is changing the pension protection clause in the Illinois Constitution.

“Our proposals would be a constitutional amendment. Something that is fair to both taxpayers and government employees, and it has to be on the ballot for 2016 for reforms,” Labell said.

The clause was what killed the 2013 pension reform law, though Labell said that legislation didn’t go far enough.

The second step the group is recommending is increasing employee contributions by 10 percent, which Labell said will save the state $150 billion over the next 30 years.

The final step is passing a law to allow municipalities to declare bankruptcy.

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