Franks Calls For Close On Legislator Pension Plan

McHenry County State Rep. Jack Franks (D)63, a vocal critic of the state's finances, has filed a bill to end the growth of one obligation the state faces, the burgeoning cost of legislators' pensions. Members of the General Assembly have a cushy pension plan and Franks wants to end new enrollments.

"The General Assembly is a part-time citizen legislature. I don’t know anyone else who works part-time and receives a pension," said Franks.

Frank's bill would close new legislator enrollments at the end of 2010. It would only apply to newly elected members because the Illinois Constitution doesn't allow an existing member’s pension to be taken away.

“Since 1999, retirement annuities for just the General Assembly Retirement System have doubled,” Franks said. "It no longer makes fiscal sense for part-time legislators to receive these lucrative pensions at the financial expense of our state.”