by CBS4 Newsroom
newsroom@cbs4qc.com
(AP) House Speaker Michael Madigan says Illinois' pension crisis remains the most serious problem lawmakers face. The Chicago Democrat addressed newly-sworn in House members Wednesday at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Madigan says it's a "terribly contentious'' issue because any reform would be a change to what workers had been promised.
House lawmakers adjourned the lame-duck session Tuesday without calling for a vote on pension-related legislation.
On pensions, Madigan also stressed the importance of addressing what's known as the "cost-shift,'' where the state picks up downstate and suburban school district retirement costs.
Madigan calls it a "free lunch'' that needs to be addressed. The issue was a sticking point on pension talks. Madigan said earlier that he was willing to set it aside temporarily to accomplish some pension overhaul.
