Latest attempt to cut Cook County pensions fails

For the second time in a year, grassroots pressure from AFSCME members helped defeat a plan by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to cut the pensions of county employees.

The proposed legislation would have reduced and delayed cost-of-living adjustments, increased the retirement age and made other changes that would greatly erode the retirement security of county employees. While the bill passed a House committee on May 20, it was never taken up on the House floor before lawmakers adjourned on May 31. Reports indicate there is little chance the bill will be brought up again when the General Assembly reconvenes later this month.

The lack of support for the bill among lawmakers was no doubt influenced by the recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down pension cuts for SERS, SURS and TRS participants. That unanimous decision found that public employee pension benefits are protected by the Illinois Constitution.

County employees also placed calls to lawmakers urging them to reject the bill, reminding them of the Supreme Court ruling and emphasizing the unfair cuts in President Preckwinkle’s proposal.

Preckwinkle has indicated she hasn’t given up in her effort to cut employee pensions – in a statement released to the media, she mentioned working with the General Assembly and the governor, but not the public employees who depend on their modest pensions for retirement security.

“We hope President Preckwinkle will reconsider her approach and decide to work with county employees on finding a solution to the underfunding of the county’s pension system that is both fair and constitutional,” Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said.