The governor's overhaul proposal receives an endorsement from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. Doug Whitley is the Chamber's president. On Wednesday, he told Illinois Public Radio why his group is getting behind the effort.
"We think the Governor's made a bold statement that is necessary because the public employee pension are on the verge of insolvency. We know that the rising cost of public employee pensions is now 15 percent of the budget."
Governor Quinn wants to increase the retirement age and have workers pay more for their pensions. As he gains support from business groups, Quinn has been criticized by labor unions. They say workers have a right to keep the retirement plans they were promised.