Can pension recipients give a bit?

I am a senior citizen living on a 1994 fixed pension and had a thought about this budget crisis and the pension problem. I don't know anything about politics except what I hear on WGN News and the Daily Herald.

I want to know if my idea is feasible.

I suggest that those receiving state of Illinois pensions would be willing to give up 1% of their pension to forego raising the Cook County tax hike of 1 percent suggested for January 1, 2016. This would be voluntary, like a charitable giving to a state of Illinois fund that could be set up to automatically deduct 1% from their credit card every month.

I suggest this only until the budget crisis is settled and Illinois is back on track of responsible spending (spend only what you take in). I am hoping that those most vulnerable like nursing homes and the disabled, for example, would not have to suffer cut backs because of the fighting in Springfield.

I would be willing to give up 1% of my $337.88 a month pension and those who get less than me say they would be willing also. So can we pass this to our pension receivers to see if they would be willing? Can this be put out there to see how it is received?

Just an idea from a disabled senior citizen.

Melanie Hoeffner

Hoffman Estates