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VOL. 12 • NO. 5
SUPER
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Halftime buffet & open bar | Reserve seats toda y Discounts for groups of 8 or more!
W h it e P in e s Go lf Club
& Banquets 500 W Jefferson | 63 0-766-0304 x2 | wh itepinesgolf.com A facility of Bensenville Park Dis
trict
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THURSDAY, Jan. 28, 2016
Cullerton says governor’s pension reform bill isn’t his SPRINGFIELD — Republican leaders say Illinois taxpayers could save a billion dollars a year with a pension reform proposal Governor Bruce Rauner says jives with Senate President John Cullerton’s plan, but the leading Senate Democrat says it’s not his idea. Governor Rauner, Senator Christine Radogno and Representative Jim Durkin voiced their displeasure that nothing has been done with pensions since the state Supreme Court shot down a previous pension reform proposal May of last year. Rauner said, though he doesn’t think a plan he says matches up with Cullerton’s proposal goes far enough, he’s willing to compromise. “Use some of that savings to fund MAP grants now, as an example of what we might do together,” said the Governor. “Rather than dig a financial hole, let’s solve the problems with compromise, free up resources and put it where it belongs to go.” GOP: Proposed pension savings could go towards social services Radogno also says the savings in the reform proposal could help fund other necessary services. “A billion dollars is nothing to sneeze at,” she said. “That’s savings that can go to education, human services, and so we
are willing to start small.” Durkin said the worst funded pension system in the country is a drag on the economy. “It suffocates resources for our core mission of providing children with a quality education, keeping our communities safe, and providing care for the
most vulnerable citizens,” he said. “We need to act and act quickly.” However, Cullerton said in a statement the plan was not his and there’s a fundamental disagreement about the role of collective bargaining. Governor Rauner wants to remove
salary increases as a bargaining issue as part of the proposed reform. Rauner says the proposal would be a consideration model that offers state employees options to either include their salary increase into their pension for a lower cost of living
increase moving forward or, if the employee is willing, they could keep the current cost of living adjustment at 3 percent but not have salary increases pensionable. Rauner says he does not support diminishing
See BILL, Page 5
Ahoy to the King...
Bobby Gannon is escorted out on the floor – in a pirate’s hat and ship! -- to accept his Turnabout Court nomination. Bobby was later crowned “CoTurnabout King” at Montini’s Turnabout Dance. (Nick Steiner also tied in the race for King status.) See story and more photos inside this issue.
Inside:
courtesy photo
Serving Villa Park and the Surrounding Area for Over 35 Years
Police Reports...........6 Sports �������������������� 22 Viewpoint.................8 Classifieds..........30-31
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232291
By Mark Fitton Illinois News Network
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