Quinn says pension overhaul goal still realistic

Gov. Pat Quinn is counting down the days until his self-imposed Jan. 9 deadline to overhaul Illinois’ pension system, but he won’t specify what his plans are to accomplish the task.

Quinn has made reforming the system his top priority this year and set similar deadlines in the past which passed with little action.

Quinn said Thursday that he remains optimistic that there’ll be a solution in the lame duck session next month. It ends on Jan. 9, when new lawmakers are sworn in.

The governor hasn’t been forthcoming with any plans or details beyond saying he’s talking with lawmakers. His spokeswoman Brooke Anderson on Thursday said Quinn has “daily” conversations with top legislators on the issue.

Earlier this week, lawmakers frustrated with inaction came up with their own proposal.