Posted on 05/08/2015 9:08:03 AM PDT by GIdget2004
The Illinois Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2013 law that sought to fix the nation's worst government-employee pension crisis, a ruling that forces the state to find another way to overcome a massive budget deficit.
In a unanimous decision, the seven justices declared the law passed 18 months ago violates the state constitution because it would leave pension promises "diminished or impaired."
The decree puts new Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats who control the General Assembly back at the starting line in trying to figure out how to wrestle down a $111 billion deficit in what's necessary to cover its state employee retirement obligations. The hole is so deep the state has in recent years had to reserve up to $7 billion - or one-fifth of its operating funds - to keep pace.
Most states faced the same public employee pension crisis, exacerbated by the Great Recession, and took steps to remedy the problem. But Illinois balked for years at addressing the crisis until former Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and fellow Democrats who control the General Assembly overcame opposition from union allies and struck the 2013 deal, amid warnings that it might not pass constitutional muster.
After the General Assembly and Quinn adopted the changes in December 2013, retired employees, state-worker labor unions and others filed a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the law on constitutional grounds. The high court opinion means the state must keep its pledge on pensions.
(Excerpt) Read more at abc7chicago.com ...
Now watch Illinois go into a death spiral.
“Black Robed Tyrants merely voting in their own self-interest. They receive government pensions, too.”
According to the article: The law dealt with four of the state’s five pension programs - the Legislature did not include the judges’ account because of the conflict posed by expected legal action.
It still sets the precedent, even if it wasn’t specifically in the law. What will have to happen now is that new hires won’t get the plum retirement programs. But the older goldbricks don’t care. They strictly lookout for themselves.
Are the Justices covered by this pension system? If so, each should have recused themselves as they have a personal interest in the disposition of the case and have ruled in their own benefit.
As was in the article, and posted in this thread already...
According to the article: The law dealt with four of the states five pension programs - the Legislature did not include the judges account because of the conflict posed by expected legal action.
The state Republican party might consider not even running any candidates for statewide offices and just let the democrats own responsibility for some of the coming fiascos.
Re-pass it.
slight correction:
Most states faced the same public employee pension crisis, exacerbated by the OBAMA Recession,
I say give each pensioner a 100% increase and burn that rat cesspool down to the ground.
“diminished or impaired pensions”
What’s the problem with that? Lots of pensions were just out right gone during the corporate raiders and savings and loan crisis days. Time for the unions and public employees to learn how the rest of our workers get treated:
Here today and gone tomorrow. I know lots of people who at the age of 50 had to just start over - new job - if lucky enough to find one, and start from zero on pensions.
Black Robed Tyrants should have recused themselves for obvious conflict of interest. The have State of Illinois pensions same as their hack buddies, friends, family, etc
This was a foregone conclusion from the start. The Illinois State Constitution is crystal clear on this matter.
L
ILSC recused themselves from that lawsuit actually. They had no choice but to rule this way.
Of course they did. After all, taxpayers are but slaves to those who suckle at the public tit...
Article XIII, Section 5 of the Illinois Constitution: "Membership in any pension or retirement system of the State, any unit of local government or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, shall be an enforceable contractual relationship, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired."
Sounds like the court was merely upholding the state constitution.
Sounds like taxpayer slavery to me.
Sounds like a need to amend the constitution to me.
Nope. Already done.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution
The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.
I guess the state can always file for bankruptcy
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