(Chicago, IL) – April 20, 2012. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today released cautious statements of support for Governor Pat Quinn’s proposed Illinois pension plan reforms.
Preckwinkle:
“I am pleased that Governor Quinn has proposed a comprehensive first-step towards stabilizing our public employee pension systems. This urgent issue affects all of Cook County and Illinois residents, so everyone has to be involved in the process going forward if there is going to be an effective and sustainable legislative solution. I and other leaders of local and municipal government have already taken steps to address pension funding, so any solution to the current pension crisis must include both state and local pension funds.
“We have a collective obligation to come up with a solution. We must act quickly, collaboratively and decisively to put our pension system back on the right track. I will continue deliberations with labor leaders and other stakeholders in the coming weeks to refine a proposal that addresses Cook County’s pension fund needs.”
Emanuel:
“I commend Governor Quinn for proposing a framework to address the retirement security crisis facing the State of Illinois. This is a strong beginning and he has outlined many good ideas regarding retirement security, including ideas that we both discussed at the recent Tribune Forum.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Quinn and legislative leaders to ensure that the hardworking public employees who contribute to these funds and their families have a secure future with a reasonable retirement. We owe it taxpayers to fix this problem so they are not left footing the bill.”
Gov. Pat Quinn
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