 On Wednesday the architect of the latest plan to scale back
retirement plans for to-be-hired cops and firemen, state Rep. Kevin
McCarthy, D-Orland Park, told a legislative panel that he expects to
have a final plan by next week. But he admits not everyone will be
happy."We do plan on, hopefully, getting this all ironed out so
that the second week of (the fall veto session) we can pass the bill
through both chambers. But ... there are some things that are still
up in the air," McCarthy said.
Namely, police and firefighter unions are upset with the plan to
increase the retirement age from 50 to 57, require 30 years on the
job, cap benefit payments for survivors and impose a lower
cost-of-living adjustment than the unions have asked for.
Supporters, most vocally local mayors, contend that without the
changes, many cities will have to make tough choices between
retirement payouts and current city services. The mayors hope to be
able to cash in on some future savings in the next few years. The
pension changes would only apply to new firefighters and police
officers, but local leaders would be able to bank on some immediate
savings.
But the unions that represent police officers and firefighters in
Illinois maintain that a different pension "reform" could save those
cities just as much, or more.
Pat Devaney with the Associated Firefighters of Illinois told
McCarthy's panel that there was a deal almost in place. And he
thinks lawmakers should talk a little more before acting.
"Our current position as we sit here today ... is we have a
(plan) that will save taxpayers 50 percent for new employees, up to
10 percent immediately. In exchange for benefit reductions ... we're
asking municipalities to follow what (has been the law) for
decades," Devaney said.
That caveat would force cities to make their contributions to
police and fire pension plans. If a municipality did not, Devaney
wants a carve-out in state law to force the payments.
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McCarthy's plan would allow, not require, the state to step in if
a city had fallen behind the payment schedule after five years.
Lawmakers have indicated they are willing to act, but they admit
the decision may be tough. State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Des Plaines,
said the legislature is going to have to earn its pay.
"It's really going to be up to us to make a final decision," she
said.
The General Assembly last spring took similar action to trim back
state-funded pensions for teachers, university employees, state
workers, judges and future lawmakers. The police and fire pension
plans are primarily paid for by local governments.
Legislators are expected to leave the Capitol by noon on Thursday
but are scheduled for three more days of veto session after
Thanksgiving.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By BENJAMIN YOUNT]
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