With City Pension Bill, A Case Of Legal Deja Vu
From the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
Four months after overhauling retirement benefits for state employees, legislators Tuesday again found themselves grappling with changes to public worker retirement plans.
And once again, the cloud of a constitutional challenge cast a long shadow over House and Senate debate on the measure, which would alter benefits for a segment of city of Chicago workers.
In fact, the very first question directed at the bill’s sponsor, House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, dealt with the legality of the proposal.
“First of all, in your opinion, is this bill constitutional?” asked Rep. Ronald L. Sandack, a Republican from Downers Grove.
“I would answer your question by saying that those who drafted the bill, drafted the bill with the clear intent that it would be constitutional,” Madigan replied. “They constructed their arguments in their drafting in such a way to meet the anticipated requirements of the court.”
The plan would make changes to two of Chicago’s four pension systems — the ones for laborers and municipal employees, not police or firefighters.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
Four months after overhauling retirement benefits for state employees, legislators Tuesday again found themselves grappling with changes to public worker retirement plans.
And once again, the cloud of a constitutional challenge cast a long shadow over House and Senate debate on the measure, which would alter benefits for a segment of city of Chicago workers.
In fact, the very first question directed at the bill’s sponsor, House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, dealt with the legality of the proposal.
“First of all, in your opinion, is this bill constitutional?” asked Rep. Ronald L. Sandack, a Republican from Downers Grove.
“I would answer your question by saying that those who drafted the bill, drafted the bill with the clear intent that it would be constitutional,” Madigan replied. “They constructed their arguments in their drafting in such a way to meet the anticipated requirements of the court.”
The plan would make changes to two of Chicago’s four pension systems — the ones for laborers and municipal employees, not police or firefighters.
Read more in our daily News Update...