Illinois' top Democratic legislative leaders are asking the Illinois Supreme Court to reject Governor Pat Quinn's appeal of a lawsuit over legislative pay.
Quinn halted lawmakers' pay in July until pension reform was achieved. A Cook County Circuit Court judge ruled last month that the move was unconstitutional and ordered lawmakers to be sent back pay, with interest. An appeal is being reviewed by the state Supreme Court.
Illinois' unfunded pension liability is close to $100 billion dollars, due largely to lawmakers shorting or skipping payments.
A committee of lawmakers has been working on one possible reform package that could save $138 billion over 30 years.
