retirement

Ill. Voters File Lawsuit Challenging Retirement Benefits Ballot Question

The Associated Press and St. Louis Public Radio — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 19:45:43 +0000

A group of voters is challenging the validity of a measure on this fall's ballot that would make it more difficult to improve retirement benefits for public employees.

In a statement Thursday, Republican state Senate candidate John Bambenek, of Champaign, said he and 10 other Illinois residents filed a lawsuit arguing the question is unconstitutional.

Bambenek says the form of the question and the amendment are "deceptive, inaccurate and incomprehensible."

Retirements leave gap at Ill. state parks

The Associated Press — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 19:19:27 +0000

Since late last year, almost a quarter of Illinois state park superintendents have retired, taking with them in many cases 30 or more years of experience that will be hard to replace.

The loss of that institutional knowledge is one more cost of the state's deep financial crisis. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is among state agencies hit hard by years of budget cuts.

Ill. House: End free health insurance for retired longtime state employees

The Associated Press and Illinois Public Radio — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:02:10 +0000

Reporting from Illinois Public Radio's Guy Stephens and Brian Mackey was used in this report.

Longtime state employees would no longer be able get free health insurance when they retire under legislation approved by the Illinois House today.

The vote is part of a push to cut pension benefits for government retirees. The governor, House speaker and other officials want to save money by cutting pensions, health care and other costs.

House Republican Leader Tom Cross says it's the first of many difficult votes to come.

Illinois House panel targets retiree health care

The Associated Press — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:03:18 +0000

An Illinois House committee wants to take away a perk for government retirees who get a big break on health insurance.

State employees who work for 20 years pay no insurance premium in retirement. A measure to end that benefit cleared the House Executive Committee, which is controlled by Democrats, without opposition Wednesday.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees opposes the legislation.

Post-Dispatch faces lawsuit over retiree benefits

Rachel Lippmann — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:37:15 +0000

Twelve former employees of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch have sued the paper, saying corporate officials lied to them about the benefits the employees would receive after taking an early retirement offer in 2007.