Governor Pat Quinn had harsh criticism for a bipartisan panel of legislators assigned to draft a new plan to reduce the state's pension costs. He wanted legislation passed Tuesday. Lawmakers say they're close, but Quinn is not helping.
Quinn was quick to criticize lawmakers' failure to pass pension legislation in time to meet his July 9 due date.
"Well, I think they let the people of Illinois down, they let the taxpayers down," he said. "We don't need any more excuses, we don't need any more alibis. They have a deadline.
Governor Pat Quinn had harsh criticism for a bipartisan panel of legislators assigned to draft a new plan to reduce the state's pension costs. He wanted legislation passed Tuesday. Lawmakers say they're close, but Quinn is not helping.
Quinn was quick to criticize lawmakers' failure to pass pension legislation in time to meet his July 9 due date.
"Well, I think they let the people of Illinois down, they let the taxpayers down," he said. "We don't need any more excuses, we don't need any more alibis. They have a deadline.
But Senate President John Cullerton - like Quinn, a Democrat - says much as legislators want to pass a pension overhaul, it will take time.
"We passed a bill, we're not lazy," he said. "We passed a bill with two-thirds vote. The House passed a bill, they're not lazy. We just didn't have an agreement cause it's so complicated."
Cullerton says the Governor understands this. And yet - Quinn's take was ominous:
"If they broke the deadline again, we'll see what happens," he said.
When asked, Quinn did not dispel the rumor he might use his veto powers to cancel legislators' salaries. Senate President John Cullerton - like Quinn, a Democrat - says much as legislators want to pass a pension overhaul, it will take time.
"We passed a bill, we're not lazy," he said. "We passed a bill with two-thirds vote. The House passed a bill, they're not lazy. We just didn't have an agreement cause it's so complicated."
Cullerton says the Governor understands this. And yet - Quinn's take was ominous:
"If they broke the deadline again, we'll see what happens," he said.
When asked, Quinn did not dispel the rumor he might use his veto powers to cancel legislators' salaries.
