Aimed at saving the state money without asking the hard working taxpayers of Illinois to pay more taxes, state Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) helped passed a proposal on Friday that makes fiscally sound reforms to the pension systems for new General Assembly members and judges.

“As state finances have grown tighter, it has grown increasingly hard for us to meet our pension obligations and this legislation is meant to put us on a better footing and reduce future costs,” Gordon said. “Changes to the pension systems for legislators and judges must be made because we simply cannot afford to continue to offer the same level of benefits as before. This is a good first step in a many pronged solution to our pension woes. Just as the private sector and local families have worked to reduce spending, state government needs to do the same. That’s why I voted to cut my own pay last year and why I think it’s important that these pension reforms come to fruition.”

One of the main criticisms of the current system was that it allowed a person to greatly increase their pension benefits by taking a higher paying job for a short period time. House Bill 6368 makes the system more fiscally responsible by determining benefit levels based on an average of the retiree’s salary over the last 8 years of their work, rather than using the salary on the last day of employment.

House Bill 6368 also increases the retirement age, decreases the percent of salary that a person receives as their retirement benefit and sets a cap on the money a person can receive from their pension. The two-tier benefit plan is projected to save the state $1.65 billion. Gordon has previously voted to cut her own pay and require General Assembly members to take 12 unpaid furlough days in an effort to cut state spending.

“This proposal not only brings significant savings to the people of Illinois, but institutes needed reform to ensure the taxpayers money is spent wisely,” Gordon said. “It’s extremely important that we continue to put partisan differences aside and work together to enact reforms that will put Illinois on the path to fiscal sustainability.”

House Bill 6368 now moves on the Senate for further consideration. For more information, please contact Gordon’s full-time constituent service office at (309) 681-1992.