State Rep. Franks: Take away new lawmakers' pensions

SPRINGFIELD — Rep. Jack Franks, a Marengo Democrat, wants to take the chances for state pensions away from all future lawmakers.

Franks has filed legislation that would keep all members of the Illinois General Assembly taking office in 2013 and after out of the state pension system in an effort to save money.

Franks acknowledges doing so wouldn't make a huge difference to the state's huge budget problems, but he said it's important to cut where possible.

“I can't think of anywhere else a person can work part-time and receive a pension, let alone a pension as lucrative as those received by Illinois lawmakers,” Franks said in a statement.

Franks also filed the legislation last year, but it was never approved.

Franks, a lawmaker for more than 10 years, is eligible for a state pension himself.

He said Tuesday that the law doesn't allow the state to take away benefits that any state employees, including lawmakers, have already earned,