Illinois obviously ain’t ready for reform

Again, Gov. Quinn announces another plan to reform pensions once and for all and forms another panel. And again, the newspapers laud his intent. The reality is Gov. Quinn has little political power.

The facts are that as long as the people of the 22nd District elect Speaker Madigan and the people of the 6th District elect Senate President Cullerton there will be no significant pension reform or other fiscal reforms. Their leadership in Illinois, along with Gov. Quinn and the two former governors, over the years has resulted in Illinois having the highest debt of any state, the lowest bond rating of any state, an unfunded pension liability of over $80 billion dollars and a permanent running balance of over $8 billion dollars in current unpaid bills, just to name a few items.

And then there are the sweetheart deals to allow union officials, who have not worked for the state in years, to work one day as teachers and then get an Illinois pension for life based on their final union official salary; employees of certain connected independent corporations in Illinois who provide services to Illinois universities to be classified as employees of the universities and thereby eligible for Illinois pensions, at taxpayer expense.

Gov. Quinn can make speeches about reform and form panels or commissions but we all know that there will be no real reform. Gov. Quinn spearheaded a 67 percent income tax increase and the bills are still not paid.

Howard Snyder

Wheaton