Ill. Governor Blames Lawmakers for Pension Crisis

Pension payments consuming larger chunks of state budget

Gov. Pat Quinn today turned up his rhetoric on pension reform, blaming the General Assembly for inaction even as he heads into a rocky political fight to pass a $62.4 billion budget that key lawmakers in both political parties find objectionable.

"What are you waiting for?" Quinn asked lawmakers during his budget speech at the Capitol in which the applause breaks were few.

The Democratic governor's latest call for pension reform came as he outlined a spending proposal that slashes education and other key programs. It's a grim budget that would carry him into what could be a contested Democratic primary 12 months away.