IL Pension Site Puzzling For Some - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

IL Pension Site Puzzling For Some

By Natalie Zarowny
nzarowny@cbs4qc.com

Governor Quinn launched his long promised effort to win public support for pension reform on Sunday.

With it came a web site and video that has some folks scratching their heads.

The video is part of the 'Thanks in Advance' campaign Governor Quinn just launched.

After outlining what pension is, the video introduces a cartoon, called ‘Squeezy the Pension Python.'

But, some lawmakers aren't on board.

"This isn't Disney, this is the real world.  And we have to have serious action," said Republican Representative Rich Morthland of Illinois' 71^st district.

Here's what the governor is trying to explain;

Pension programs for Illinois workers have been under funded for more than seven decades.

That's because of a number of factors, including employers not putting into the pension system each year, and retirees living longer.

One solution Governor Quinn suggests in his new crusade is to hold online town hall meetings.

"Get the powers and the people involved and sit down at a table and do it.  I don't know whether town hall meetings are going to solve anything," said Democratic Representative Patrick Verschoore of Illinois' 72^nd district.

So what do Illinoisians think about the keep it simple approach?

"It's definitely an issue that needs to be addressed for the community to know what's going on and the Internet's obviously the best way to get it out there ‘cause everyone's on it," said Allie DeRoo, a college student from Moline.

"It really goes over even my head," said Dori Dewaters, another college student from Moline.