Gov. J.B Pritzker touted his record on pensions, claiming his administration reduced pension debt. He cites an analysis of state pension data but fails to mention its conclusion suggesting reform.

The former Illinois House assistant majority leader received a taxpayer-funded pension worth $129,000 between his retirement in 2019 after being arrested for bribery by federal authorities and his conviction in 2022.

Ex-Alderman Danny Solis handed federal prosecutors the top politicians in Chicago and the Statehouse to get out of bribery charges. His deal could let him keep his pension – a ploy too common in Illinois as voters consider Amendment 1’s potential for protecting pension abuse.

A new bill in the Illinois House calls for suspending the pensions for legislators facing corruption charges. Former House Speaker Michael Madigan, recently indicted for racketeering and bribery, is set to collect $12,600 per month starting in July.

Illinois’ 90% funding target already violates best practices, but some have proposed going even lower. That’s a bad idea based on a myth, according to the American Academy of Actuaries.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill to boost Chicago firefighter cost-of-living increases last year, costing taxpayers $850 million. Despite Mayor Lori Lightfoot calling it “irresponsible,” a new bill would do the same for city police at more than triple the cost.

Amendment 1 would stop voters and lawmakers from curbing government unions’ ability to demand more from taxpayers, including platinum health insurance the average Illinoisan doesn’t enjoy.

Illinois lawmakers haven’t taken up pension legislation in nearly a decade. It’s time to give voters a chance to fix the problem driving state fiscal woes. A constitutional amendment can fix the unsustainable public pension systems.