Eight of the 10 members of a committee tackling Illinois' $97 billion pension crisis supported a proposal to unilaterally cut benefits. Lawmakers voted Wednesday to form a bipartisan committee to try to end a stalemate between the House and Senate. Legislative leaders appointed the members. The Senate members are Democrats Linda Holmes, Kwame Raouland Daniel Biss and Republicans Bill Brady and Matt Murphy. The House members are Democrats Elaine Nekritz, Art Turner and Mike Zalewski and Republicans Darlene Senger and Jil Tracy. All of the House members and three senators voted in favor of a bill backed by Speaker Michael Madigan that imposed across-the-board cuts. Holmes and Raoul preferred a union-supported bill sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton that gave employees and retirees choices of benefits.
Most IL Committee Members Backed Bigger Pension Cuts
