Pension Court Ruling

From my non-legal expertise, it seems like the lawsuit by the governor to change the state's pension payments was doomed from the start for two reasons:

1) the state Constitution says that you can't change pensions for state employees.

2) claiming that the state is in such a crisis that there is no other option doesn't wash since the state just let the temporary income tax increase lapse. Governor Rauner may not have liked it, a lot of other people may not like it, but keeping that tax increase in place was an option the state could have used.

Area's Greatest Challenge

Caught this morning's Talk of the Town with Gary Williams interviewing Jeff Doherty from Jackson Growth Alliance and found Doherty's response to Williams' question about the greatest challenge the area faces. Doherty's response:  Illinois.

Between the amount of money owed various businesses and organizations by the state, the possibility of a 20% funding cut to SIUC and the pension liabilities the state still owes and has imposed upon local municipalities, I think he has a point.

Pension Reform Law Blocked

Missed this, which happened on May 14, but Circuit Court Judge John Belz granted a temporary restraining order blocking implementation of PA 98-599, the pension reform law passed last December. Judge Belz halted the law until courts can rule on its constitutionality. This means that the current system stands and will continue to administer contributions and paying benefits as the law mandated prior to the passage of PA 98-599 until otherwise directed by the court.