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June 09, 2014

Mayor Emanuel's pension cuts signed into law; unions will sue

Pushed by Mayor Emanuel and approved by the Illinois General Assembly, drastic cuts to the pension benefits earned by active and retired city of Chicago employees were signed into law by Governor Quinn on June 9.

The We Are One Chicago coalition of unions that includes AFSCME, the Chicago Teachers Union, the Fire Fighters Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Illinois Nurses Association and the Police Benevolent & Protective Association immediately issued this statement:

"Mayor Rahm Emanuel's pension-slashing plan, now signed by the Governor, is wrong for Chicago. This is no victory for the Mayor, but a huge, missed opportunity to find a truly fair, constitutional solution.

"Senate Bill 1922 would slash the value of pensions by one-third within twenty years of retirement. It inordinately hurts women, people of color, and low-income workers and retirees, disrupting and harming our city's communities.

"Our coalition has presented numerous alternatives that would rebalance our tax code and ask those who can most afford it -- the wealthiest among us -- to pay their fair share. Unfortunately, some elected officials have chosen to ignore the constitution and these fairer revenue alternatives, opting instead to slash the retirement life savings of our city's public health professionals, teachers' aides, librarians, cafeteria workers, and other public employees and retirees.

"The Mayor's plan is unfair and unconstitutional, and our unions intend to seek justice and will be preparing to file suit."

Previously: "Pension cuts will hurt Chicago employees, retirees"