SPRINGFIELD (March 10, 2015) – On Wednesday, March 11, the Illinois Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the pension law signed by former Gov. Pat Quinn in Dec. 2013. This is the final legal step to determine the constitutionality of the pension-reform law and will, in large part, shape future pension reforms proposed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

WHAT: Pension and legal experts are available in Springfield and Chicago to explain the pension bill and lawsuit, what is at stake for the state budget, and what type of reforms can follow.

WHEN: Experts are available all this week. Oral arguments will be heard in Springfield on Wednesday, March 11.

EXPERTS AVAILABLE: 

In Springfield

Kristina Rasmussen, executive vice president at the Illinois Policy Institute

In Chicago

Ted Dabrowski, vice president of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute

Ben VanMetre, director of pension reform at the Illinois Policy Institute

Jacob Huebert, senior attorney at the Liberty Justice Center

BACKGROUND: In December 2013 former Gov. Pat Quinn signed the pension-reform bill, Senate Bill 1, into law. This bill offered minor reforms to the state-employee pension system. SB 1 enacted slight decreases in annual cost-of-living adjustments to retiree pensions as well as gradually increasing some state-worker retirement ages.

State-employee unions challenged the constitutionality of this law in court and the case has made its way to the state Supreme Court, which is hearing arguments this week.

There is no timetable on when the state Supreme Court will issue a decision in this case.

For interviews: Nathaniel Hamilton or Diana Rickert (312) 607-4977