Prairie State Wire

Illinois has a "big problem" with its pension system that has every household on the for at least $80,000 in unfunded liability, a Republican gubernatorial candidate said.

"Illinois' got a big problem," Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) said in a video posted to Facebook on March 19. "According to Moody's Investor Service, our state and local pensions system is in danger with an unfunded liability of over $400 billion. Years of politicians failing us and kicking the can down the road have put the pensions of everyday teachers, first responders and middle and working-class people at risk."

Bailey vowed that things would be different if voters put him in the Governor's mansion in 2022.

"I will always fight for and work to protect teachers, law enforcement and all middle-income Illinoisans," he said. "I will fight to protect taxpayers and put an end to the process of throwing more money at the problems."

While pledging to never claim he has all the answers, Bailey committed to not reducing anyone retiree's benefits already in the system, making less than $140,000.

"My bill is an initial statement to demand a conversation and bring people to the table to find commonsense, conservative solutions," he said. "We have to pick the can up and start finding solutions to save Illinois."