Link to the Original Story

Lawmakers Move to Keep Facilities Open, Table Pensions

By Emily Finnegan

WSIL NEWS -- Lawmakers worked until the wee hours of the morning Friday in Springfield trying to finalize a budget plan and tackle several major issues.

Despite the late night, they still have some unfinished business.

Their top priority, pension reform, has been tabled. House Minority Leader Tom Cross said Governor Quinn asked him to put the legislation on hold late Thursday night. Cross couldn't get enough votes to support a bill that would have cut cost of living benefits for most state workers.

On Wednesday, Democratic leaders gave up on their version of the plan, which would have also forced school districts to pick up more of their employees' pension costs.

Gov. Quinn said Friday pension reform is critical. He plans to call a special session this summer to tackle it.

"I'm going to make that crystal clear to the legislative leaders next week, that we must forge an agreement," Quinn said, "I think that we have the elements. We're very close."

But some lawmakers worry passing pension reform will be even tougher during a special session, which requires a super majority.

"It's harder to get the votes. Because it takes 71, not 60 votes to pass anything we do," said St. Rep. Mike Bost of Murphysboro.

Its unclear exactly when lawmakers will be called back to Springfield by Quinn to deal with the pension issue.

Lawmakers also sent a major gambling expansion bill to Quinn Friday night. The Senate passed the measure as the session wound to a close.

It calls for adding five new casinos around the state and allowing slot machines at horse tracks. Quinn said today he's not pleased with the measure and will likely veto it.

"I think it is especially important to have oversight, integrity and protection for the public," the governor said.

Supporters say gambling expansion would generate at least $300 million a year in revenue for the state.

Lawmakers also set aside money to keep open several state facilities in our region.

The budget proposal being sent to Governor Quinn includes money to operate the Murphysboro Youth Center, the Murray Developmental Center in Centralia, and the Tamms Supermax prison. The plan also includes $26 million allotted to convert Tamms into a medium or minimum security facility.

But while the money is there, the future of those facilities is ultimately up to the governor. On Friday, Quinn suggested if Tamms stays open, it won't be as a Supermax.

"I thought that the super maximum security mission of that prison was not one that we could continue and afford," said Quinn, "Also, I think it could be done in a different way."

Local lawmakers say the budget plan also includes enough funding to prevent consolidation of state police dispatch centers and to keep the animal disease lab in Centralia open.

A plan to rescue state parks by adding a $2 tax to license plate fees remains in limbo. It took the House two tries to pass the measure Thursday; supporters secured enough votes to pass it in the Senate, but the bill didn't come up until after midnight, so a super majority was needed. The measure failed in the Senate.

St. Rep. John Bradley believes the last three Senate votes necessary to secure the license plate fee can be found, and lawmakers could pass that bill quickly during their special session this summer.

Finally, schools will feel the pain of the budget axe as education spending is slashed from 2011 levels.

Colleges and universities will see a 6.1 percent drop in funding. Statewide, school districts will see general state aid fall about $300 million. They'll also receive less money for pre school programs and free and reduced lunches. School transportation funding, though, will remain steady.