[Piranha]

It’s also a neat trick that the article does not quote the language from the state constitution but merely states the conclusion as though it were a fact.

[Libloather]

Lawyer: 'Welching' on public employee pensions not an option

The people who wrote the 1970 Illinois Constitution knew they were guaranteeing public employees that their pensions would not be reduced once they started working, according to a new legal analysis by the Senate Democrats’ top lawyer.

The 76-page report – complete with 630 footnotes – attempts to refute arguments by the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago that the legislature has the power to change future benefits for current employees.

[airedale]

Article XIII General Provisions "SECTION 5. PENSION AND RETIREMENT RIGHTS Membership in any pension or retirement system of the State, any unit of local government or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, shall be an enforceable contractual relationship, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired . (Source: Illinois Constitution.) http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lrb/conent.htm (Bold is mine)