Judge postpones ruling in suit over lawmaker pay

A Cook County circuit curt judge says he will rule next month on a lawsuit challenging Gov. Pat Quinn’s decision to halt lawmaker pay until they address Illinois’ pension crisis.

Judge Neil Cohen said Wednesday he would issue his decision by Sept. 26. But on Friday, Cohen said he’ll rule no later than Oct. 3.

House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton sued Quinn after the governor used his line-item veto to cut money for legislator salaries from the state budget. The legislative leaders say Quinn’s action is unconstitutional.

Quinn says he has the authority to veto the salaries. He says it’s a consequence of lawmakers not fixing the state’s nearly $100 billion pension shortfall.

Legislators already have missed two monthly paychecks.