SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Senate has rejected a plan pushed by the House to solve the state’s pension crisis.
The proposal pushed by House Speaker Michael Madigan failed Thursday evening, with 16 voting “yes” and 42 voting “no.” The vote left lawmakers without a solution to the pension issue with only one day left before the Legislature’s scheduled adjournment.
The House-backed plan would cut benefits and increase contributions for employees to help cut a $97 billion debt in five pension systems.
But Senate Democrats prefer a plan by Senate President John Cullerton which offers employees a choice of benefits to forgo. He says that plan would survive a court challenge.
