Make taxpayers part of pension solution

For decades the state of Illinois has abdicated its contractual responsibility to fund the state’s pension systems. State legislators and governors, instead, decided to build roads and bridges, fund schools, give money to libraries and hospitals, and give college scholarships to their friends. These are only a few of the ways our “leaders” found to use the funds that should have gone to fund pensions for those who have done the real work of Illinois.

Now the pension systems are in crisis and our legislators insist they cannot make up for the decades-long financial shortfall. All who benefited from that diversion of funds should be a part of the solution. Those who drove on those roads, crossed those bridges, attended those schools, visited the libraries and were treated in those hospitals should now pay for the benefits they received.

Public employs have done their share, now it is up to those who benefited from their dedication to do their share. Higher taxes and user fees should be part of the solution. Public employees, working and retired, shouldn’t be expected to shoulder the burden of this fiscal mismanagement alone.

Karen Wagner

Rolling Meadows