62nd House hopefuls say change is needed in employee pensions

Both Republican candidates for state representative in the 62nd House District believe changes are needed in Illinois' pension system for public employees.

But state Rep. Sandy Cole of Grayslake and challenger Paul Mitchell of Hainesville have different views about what kind of change is needed. Both candidates, who will face off in the Feb. 2 primary, recently participated in a Daily Herald editorial board interview and completed candidate questionnaires on which they described their ideas.

The winner of the primary will face Democrat Rich Voltair of Round Lake Beach in the November general election. The districts includes all or parts of Grayslake, Gurnee, Lake Villa, Third Lake and the Round Lake area.

Mitchell, 47, a computer industry customer database developer and consultant, said defined-benefit pensions in the public sector should be shifted to a model where employees make contributions similar to those in private business with 401(k) plans.

"I really don't see what's so special about state employees, why they have to be different from me," said Mitchell, who is making his first run at public office.

Mitchell also said he supports keeping pension promises made to taxpayer-funded employees.

Cole, 56, who has been a state representative since 2007, said negotiations with public workers should occur regarding shifting how pension plans operate for newly hired employees.

"Moving forward, changes that would result in helping secure the pension systems are such things as making the legally required pension payments on schedule, evaluate increasing the retirement age, negotiate changing vestment requirements ... and eliminating automatic (cost-of-living) increases," said Cole.