Mayors seek an end to pension sweeteners

SPRINGFIELD -- Mayors from across the suburbs and state asked lawmakers Thursday to halt all enhancements to police and firefighter pensions until the growing debt and its consequences for taxpayers can be studied.

Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen said cities and villages increasingly find themselves unable to keep up with pension payments and the result could be higher property taxes or budget cuts in many communities.

Van Dusen said a review of 52 Northwest suburban communities found more than half -- 30 -- reported falling below the 75 percent ratio for pension funding, up from only six a few years prior.

The mayors are backing a set of proposals that would require the cost of any local pension enhancements be detailed before lawmakers could vote for approval, increase the frequency of pension system audits and give communities more legal rights in hearings regarding employee disability benefits.

"We can't afford to continue the path we're on," Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole said.

No vote was taken Thursday. State Rep. Mark Beaubien, a Barrington Hills Republican sponsoring the proposals, said more work was needed and he hoped for a vote next week.

But one lawmaker pointed out that the local debt is mostly the result of contracts city councils and village boards negotiate with the police and fire unions, not state action.

State Rep. Raymond Poe, a Springfield Republican, also said every municipal pension benefit lawmakers have considered in recent years has been agreed to by both the unions and municipal officials before coming to a vote.

Legislators can and do pass laws that increase the retirement benefits that police, firefighters and some public officials get, but include no funding.