Cullerton Says Pension Issue Could Bypass Committee

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton says the state's pension problem could be addressed in the fall legislative session even if a committee working on it remains split.  
The Chicago Democrat tells The Associated Press in an interview that lawmakers could bypass the committee and call a vote through another legislative route.  
An AP survey found that five of the pension committee's 10 members still had concerns with a proposed $138 billion savings plan. The Legislature cannot consider a committee proposal unless it is signed by six members.  
Cullerton says the General Assembly shouldn't get ``locked in'' to the committee report. He says the proposed savings plan could be placed in another bill.  
Illinois' $97 billion unfunded pension liability is the nation's worst after lawmakers skipped or shorted payments for years.