Judge rejects request for more time in Illinois pension case

CHICAGO - The Illinois Supreme Court has rejected a request for an extra month to file arguments by lawyers contesting the law that overhauls a state pension program that is $111 billion in debt.

Attorneys for state employees, retired teachers and others who contest the constitutionality of the law said they needed until March 16.

But the court denied the motion Thursday because it had already agreed to fast track the appeal of a lower court's ruling. The case is scheduled to be heard in March.

Lawmakers changed the law in 2013 to reduce benefits and raise the retirement age to reduce the fiscal hole.

Those challenging the law say constitutionally promised benefits can't be diminished.

The state argued earlier this month that lawmakers have discretion in times of crisis.