Suburban Republicans: Stop 'Cadillac spending'

SPRINGFIELD — With Gov. Pat Quinn expected to deliver his budget address Wednesday, Republican suburban senators urged cuts to state employee pensions and Medicaid.

Sen. Kirk Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican, said the recent tax increase has already hurt suburbanites more than most in the state because they pay a lot of taxes and don't use a lot of state services.

“I just want some example of responsibility and budget cuts from Gov. Quinn,” Dillard said. “No state has ever taxed or borrowed its way to prosperity.”

Dillard was joined by several suburban Republican senators Thursday at the Capitol to address reporters about the state budget.

Sen. Chris Lauzen, an Aurora Republican, said the huge amount the state owes it retirees could be addressed in part by limiting pension benefits for current employees, an idea that has been called unconstitutional by employee unions and some Democrats.

“Yesterday's work is accrued, it's done, don't touch it,” Lauzen said. “But as far as tomorrow's work for current employees, if we don't address that then the entire system collapses.”

Sen. Ron Sandack, a Downers Grove Republican, said it's not enough for Republicans to say no; they have to offer alternatives. He said there would be two or three proposals in the coming weeks offering hard, but real, alternatives.

“We can't do Cadillac services any longer,” he said.