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Quinn's fifth "State of the State" message

By WEEK Producer
February 6, 2013 Updated Feb 6, 2013 at 11:54 PM CDT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill -- Governor Pat Quinn delivered his fifth "State of the State" message to the General Assembly Thursday.

Some are criticizing the Governor for spending too much time touting his achievements of the last four years.

In his 37 minute speech, Governor Quinn allocated only a few minutes to the under-funded pension system problem.

"Senate Bill 1, a comprehensive bill that stabilizes our pension systems and fixes the problem," said Quinn. "And thank you, Leader Tom Cross and Representative Elaine Nekritz for working together on a bi-partisan basis to make sure that pension reform is Job One."

Senate Bill-One would call for freezing cost of living adjustments to pensions until 2017, and put a cap on them after that.

But GOP Leader Tom Cross says Pension Reform in Illinois will come only when powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan calls it for a vote.

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