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Dillard ready to approve pension reform
Kirk Dillard
Updated: January 14, 2013 11:28AM
HINSDALE — State Sen. Kirk Dillard will return to Springfield, ready to support pension reform legislation if it’s up for a vote.
“If the House passes something tonight, which is a big if, I would be prepared to vote on something tomorrow,” Dillard said Monday.
The House subsuequently adjourned, but is to return to session Tuesday when action may yet be taken.
The state representatives on Monday considered pension reform measures, including freezing the annual cost-of-living raises retirees receive and requiring employees to pay more into their pension fund.
From his district office in Westmont, Dillard, R-24th, said Monday he will spend whatever time it takes to familiarize himself with a pension bill the House could pass two days before the new General Assembly is sworn in.
“If the House passes something, I expect to support it,” Dillard said.
The Senate reconvenes at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Last year, Dillard voted in favor of a bill that restricted pension benefits for state employees and members of the General Assembly, but did not tackle changes to teacher pensions. The House never voted on the bill.
Dillard said he also supports legislation to reform retirement benefits for teachers and judges.
“We have no choice,” Dillard said.
The cost of all state pensions must be reduced.
“It costs $17 million a day in interest costs not to make these changes.
