The Illinois Observer has an article about Illinois mayors going to Springfield about public pension reforms:

Nearly two dozen Illinois Mayors will gather in Springfield on Wednesday (May 7) to urge Illinois lawmakers to cut local police and fire pension benefits to provide relief to local budgets.

The mayors argue that “if the pension crisis is not fixed this year, municipalities will have no other choice but to raise property taxes or make further cuts to essential services, including laying off police officers and firefighters”.

Fire and police union officials argue that the mayors have already won pension benefits cuts in a landmark 2010 pension reform bill that lowered retirement benefits for new hires and that they have failed to prepare for the required pension payments due in 2015. Labor leaders also say that they mayors need to be honest with local voters regarding the real costs of municipals services.

Pension negotiations are taking place in Springfield this week between mayors and union officials, talks which are being brokered by State Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) at the direction of Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago).

Meanwhile, 23 mayors will appear at a press conference in the state capitol press conference room at 12:30 p.m. to call on lawmakers approve changes to public safety pension systems before they adjourn on May 31.

The mayors attending the press conference are:

  • Mayor Michael J. Houston – Springfield
  • Mayor Darryl Lindberg (IML President) – Loves Park
  • Mayor Mike McElroy – Decatur
  • Mayor Mary Jane Chesley – Mt. Vernon
  • Mayor Lawrence J. Morrissey – Rockford
  • Mayor Scott Eisenhauer – Danville
  • Mayor Jim Ardis – Peoria
  • Mayor Andy Ezard – Jacksonville
  • Village President Al Larson – Schaumburg
  • Mayor Bill McLeod – Hoffman Estates
  • Mayor Leon Rockingham, Jr. – North Chicago
  • Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl – Evanston
  • Mayor Joseph J. Broda – Lisle
  • Mayor Karen Darch – Barrington
  • Mayor Eugene Williams – Lynwood
  • Mayor Roger C. Claar – Bolingbrook
  • Mayor Tim Grover – Mattoon
  • Mayor Scott J. Harl – Peru
  • Mayor Dale Adams – Rockton
  • Village President Richard Reinbold – Richton Park
  • Mayor Jerry Turry – Lincolnwood
  • Village President Rodney S. Craig – Hanover Park
  • Mayor Mike Chamberlin – Belvidere

thanks Dan