Illinois Legislature approves fix for $100B state pension shortfall, nation’s worst
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Legislature approved a historic plan Tuesday to eliminate the state’s $100 billion pension shortfall, with a vote that drew threats of a legal challenge from labor unions but that supporters said was crucial to repairing Illinois’ deeply troubled finances.
The House voted 62-53 in favor of the plan, sending it to Gov. Pat Quinn, who has said he will sign it. The Senate approved the measure 30-24 just minutes earlier.
“The message is this is not a one-sided bill. There will be changes here, much-needed changes, but this bill is a well thought out, well balanced bill that deserves the support of this body, the state Senate and the approval of Gov. Quinn,” House Speaker Michael Madigan said at the start of the House debate. “Something’s got to be done. We can’t go on dedicating so much of our resources to this one sector of pensions.”
Public employee unions, who oppose the bill, vowed to quickly take legal action. They say the legislation is unfair to workers and retirees who for years made faithful contributions to retirement systems but now will see benefits cut because of government mismanagement. They also argue parts of the measure are unconstitutional.
Illinois’ unfunded pension problem is considered the worst in the nation, primarily because lawmakers failed for decades to make the state’s full payments to the funds. The massive unfunded liability has led the major credit rating agencies to downgrade Illinois’ rating to the lowest of any state in the nation. It’s also siphoned money from education, roads and other areas.
Aid workers prepare Syrian refugee camp in Jordanian desert for another harsh winter
ZAATARI CAMP, Jordan — Cranes are lifting trailers into place and tents are being packed away as international aid workers rush to winterize a Syrian refugee camp in Jordan — trying to avoid a repeat of last year when three days of torrential rain turned the massive site into a muddy swamp.
Warm clothing, blankets and electric heaters are being prepared for distribution to the desert camp’s 120,000 residents, mostly women and children.
In January 2013, howling winds tore down some tents and flooding piled more misery on those who fled Syria’s civil war. Hundreds were displaced from their temporary shelters in the Zaatari camp. Exposed to freezing temperatures, some refugees attacked aid workers at a food distribution center, injuring a dozen before being dispersed by Jordanian riot police.
Aid workers said they have a better winter plan this year.
Ukraine opposition vows to continue protests after government wins confidence vote
KIEV, Ukraine — Ukraine appeared mired in a political standoff Tuesday, as massive protest rallies showed no sign of letting up and the government warned of its capability for force after a failed attempt to take it down.
The opposition lost its attempt to topple the government by parliamentary means when a vote of no-confidence failed by a sizeable margin.
President Viktor Yanukovych left on an official visit to China, where he is expected to sign an array of economic agreements, his office said. He is expected to be gone until Friday and the prospects for a definitive development in the next few days seem small.
Protest leaders vowed to continue their demonstrations, which have brought as many as 300,000 people to the streets of Kiev, in the largest outpouring of public anger since the 2004 Orange Revolution.
Soon after Tuesday’s vote, about 5,000 protesters gathered outside the presidential administration building, then moved to the capital’s central Independence Square, where the crowd grew to more than 10,000, according to police estimates.
By wire sources