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Quinn Critical Of Pension Panel's Progress

thisismyillinois.com

Governor Pat Quinn had harsh words for the pension conference committee that met in Chicago this week. Lawmakers are trying to come to an agreement on how to fix Illinois' pension problems.

The conference committee, which was formed last week, was Quinn's idea. But he says he thought they'd get to work right away.

"They don't wait eight days to get together. I think it was a little disappointing that the members of this conference committee took their own sweet time at even coming together," said Quinn.

Quinn has demanded a bill be on his desk by July 9. But some lawmakers say that's too short a timeline.  Even if they reach consensus on a plan, it  would take time to get an actuarial analysis, to see how much money it might save.

"Just listening to some of these folks on that committee, they've spent more time complaining about the deadline (when) they should, in my opinion, spend time doing the work of getting pension reform," said Quinn.

July 9 is just the latest in a long series of Quinn deadlines. Asked what the consequences would be for blowing it, Quinn would only say the legislature would have a lot of explaining to do.

Illinois Public Radio's Brian Mackey contributed to this report.

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