Does anyone know of any other state making current public retirees do a "give back?"

[Peregrine Took]

Our Legislature didn't properly meet its end of the bargain by adequately funding their share of the pension fund for years thereby putting it in the desperate straights it is in today.

Now they are cooking up a deal wherein current employees and retirees will have to make a choice between a reduced COLA or having health care coverage both of which were promised at time of employment - in many cases 30+ years ago. In addition the Illinois Constitution supports both of these conditions of employment.

The Legislature is trying to get around the latter by offering these cuts as a "choice" thereby making the employee or retiree OPT for one or the other thereby negating the constitutionality of the decision - they are personally opting out.

Its astounding to me that they are trying to do this. I know businesses have been doing this shameful practice for years but for the government to do it (supposed to be the model for all employers in terms of treatment of employees) is incredible. If the government doesn't honor its word or its promise to follow its Constitutional mandates - what the hell is going on?