Governor Pat Quinn is voicing his support for a proposed change to the Illinois constitution that would make it harder to boost retirement benefits for state workers. House Speaker Michael Madigan, a fellow Democrat, is backing the measure. The proposal would require a super-majority vote for any public body in the state to increase pension benefits for public workers. Quinn says it should be harder for elected officials to approve benefits they can't afford.
One of the state's largest public workers unions says the proposal would make contract negotiations too difficult. Madigan's amendment would need to win super-majorities in the General Assembly, and voter approval, before it goes into effect.
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