Article updated: 5/14/2013 7:30 AM

Watchdog group says state must address pensions

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After years of inaction and debate, lawmakers will consider two plans to address the pension crisis, including one from House Speaker Michael Madigan requiring public employees to pay more, reduce annual cost-of-living increases and increase the retirement age for some workers.

JOHN STARKS | Staff Photographer

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Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed state budget is a baby step in the right direction, a watchdog group's analysis said Monday, but the governor may be overstating savings from a recent union contract negotiation and not putting enough toward roughly $9 billion unpaid bills. All told, The Civic Federation said, it mostly illustrates how Illinois lawmakers must come up with a solution for a worst-in-the-nation pension crisis.