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Judge rules against state employees in health care lawsuit

By WEEK Producer

Judge rules against state employees in health care lawsuit

March 19, 2013 Updated Mar 19, 2013 at 10:05 PM CDT

SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. -- A Sangamon County judge has ruled that state employees do not have a constitutional right to health care benefits.

That decision, if upheld, could have an effect on Illinois Pension crisis.

State workers have argued they should not be forced to choose between reduced cost of living benefits or paying more for their health care insurance.

In essence, the judge said health benefits are not protected by pension contracts with the state because they are not pensions.

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