The Illinois Republican Party is more than willing to make room for several top Democrats on its growing bandwagon of opposition to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to skip pension payments as part of his state budget.
"It's a good sign for Illinois taxpayers and retired public employees that top Democratic lawmakers in Springfield are throwing cold water on J.B. Pritzker's plan to skip pension payments,” party spokesperson Aaron DeGroot said in an April 17 press release. “It's not too late for other Democratic lawmakers to join them. Our state cannot afford a repeat of the past pension gimmicks.”
DeGroot blasted Pritzker’s plan to reduce spending to each of the state’s five pension plans over the next seven years while increasing overall spending as misguided. He also noted that the plan has lacked details in terms of what the total cost of the so-called pension holiday might mean for already overburdened taxpayers over the long haul.
Illinois Republican Party spokesperson Aaron DeGroot
“With the end of session rapidly approaching, Pritzker and Democratic lawmakers must rein in their unrealistic spending proposals if our state is to protect taxpayers and meet its obligations to public employees and retirees," DeGroot added.
Democratic leaders who have voiced similar sentiments include House Majority Conference Chairperson Kathleen Willis and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford.
Illinois Retired Teachers Association President Roger Hampton and Illinois Retired Teachers Association Executive Director Jim Bachman have also expressed concern over Pritzker’s plan.
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