Rauner supports Democrat's pension plan with union measure

CHICAGO (AP) - Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner says he backs a top Democrat's proposed pension overhaul as long as it includes a union-weakening provision on collective bargaining.

Rauner told reporters Thursday he spoke to Senate President John Cullerton and they agreed to move forward.

However, both sides quickly disputed the specifics.

Cullerton says Rauner misrepresented their conversations and doesn't support the position on collective bargaining. Rauner's office calls it a "core" Cullerton plan principle.

Rauner says he wants to remove wage increases from collective bargaining. His office later said lawyers for Cullerton and Rauner had agreed the change was necessary to survive a legal challenge.

Cullerton's plan lets workers choose between keeping cost-of-living increases in retirement and counting future raises when figuring retirement benefits.

Last year the Illinois Supreme Court rejected another overhaul.