Nekritz plan just kicks can down the road

For those unfamiliar with the issue, Gov. Pat Quinn is backing pension reform drafted by Elaine Nekritz that would shift the cost of teacher pensions to local school districts. The Illinois Democratic leadership’s idea of “pension reform” is to push the responsibility of funding pensions down to our local school districts. They are kicking the proverbial can down the road.

This would mean higher taxes on property owners since school districts will have to pass the cost down to us property owners. When you read “cost-shift,” think tax increase. This would put our school districts budgets and therefore our property taxes at the whim of Democratic leadership.

Think about that — those of us who pay property taxes will be paying for any pension enhancements, pay bumps, and abuse included with our public pension system. We need cost-cutting reform and fairness, like what Jonathan Greenberg, Elaine’s opponent, supports.

Jonathan is going to take a page from the private sector playbook and move away from this unsustainable form of retirement system. Such a plan would end the pension abuses we read about and control the costs that are bankrupting our state. Jonathan Greenberg is endorsed by the Chicago Tribune as well — good call.

Jennifer Zukerman

Northbrook