Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) cut off pay to lawmakers yesterday saying that he will withhold their checks until they address the worst pension crisis among U.S. states, the Wall Street Journal reported today. The suspension of pay is the most dramatic move by Quinn to prod legislators to confront a shortfall in the pension system for government employees that is approaching $100 billion. The suspension of pay would hit lawmakers at the end of the month when paychecks are issued. Illinois lawmakers make $67,836 annually, with those in leadership positions collecting additional stipends. The legislature has been debating an overhaul of the state pension system for more than two years, but it hasn't sent Quinn a bill. The House and Senate are deadlocked over competing plans that rely on cuts in employee and retiree benefits for state workers, teachers and other government employees.
