North Cook News

Illinois state Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) hints he thinks the stakes have never been higher in the state’s long-simmering pension crisis.

“You’ll find that even among public employees there is a willingness to get something done by doing things differently,” Morrison told the North Cook News. “Everyone seems to know that if Illinois doesn’t significantly reform pensions there are going to be unintended consequences for the state and for everyone still here. The true reality is that we can’t continue to do what we’ve been doing and still sustain ourselves.”

A new Southern Illinois University poll finds that most residents agree, with more than 5 out of every 10 of them agreeing that they would be in favor of adopting a constitutional amendment as a way of reeling in pensions.

Overall, 51 percent of residents insist they could see themselves backing legislation that, while preserving the benefits of already retired state workers, would also allow for a reduction in future benefits earned by current and new employees.

“I hope that this means more will now be done when it comes to pension costs,” Morrison added. “Everyone knows this system is unsustainable and they’re looking for people responsible enough to put the state on a good path going forward.”

With pension costs already consuming more than a quarter of the state budget, the proposal registers widespread support among several demographics, with 46% of individuals earning under $50,000 expressing support, 50% of those earning up to $100,000 and 57% of those topping $100,000. In addition, residents over the age of 66 showed the most support by that measure at 54%.

At a time when Illinois is already home to the worse pension crisis in the country with Moody’s Investors Services pegging overall debt at $241 billion, Morrison said he isn’t surprised that democrats remain as resistant as they are when it comes to the issue.

“Public sector unions are very strong in Illinois and they have helped to elect a supermajority in the legislature for Democrats as well as a governor,” he said. “Democrats are committed to doing everything they can to keep that support.”