Progress Illinois

If Illinois lawmakers do not address the state’s growing pension crisis, essential investments in education, health care, and human services will continue to be cut, according to a recent report (PDF) from the Fiscal Policy Center at Voices For Illinois Children.

“All Illinois residents—including the youngest among us — are paying the price for Illinois’ decades-long failure to make adequate contributions to the state-funded pension plans,” the report, titled “Pension Funding Crisis Worsens” (PDF) reads. “The General Assembly is well aware of the harmful effects of rising pension costs on the rest of the budget. However, progress toward a solution has stalled — making the situation worse.”

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Andy Kang noticed the funny looks.

At an Asian American Center for Advancing Justice conference in Chicago last year, Kang, the Asian American Institute’s (AAI) senior staff attorney, presented an idea for a legislative caucus that would address the needs of Asian Americans in Illinois.

However, Illinois doesn’t currently have—and has never had—an Asian American member in the state legislature. “They said, ‘you’re going to form an Asian American caucus with no Asian American elected officials?’” Kang told Progress Illinois. “But it makes sense, so long as we yield results.”

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Public frustrations over how Illinois’ elected leaders are addressing the state’s most pressing issues was shown in full display over the weekend as an informal meet-and-greet over coffee quickly led to some contentious moments between lawmakers and constituents.

Worries over the state’s pension system, gun control, marriage equality and the environment were all discussed at an event held by State Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) Saturday. More than 50 people attended the discussion for a chance to ask questions of state Senate Pres. John Cullerton, as well as Williams and State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). Some however used the opportunity of the forum to air their grievances at the three legislators about the way those problems are being handled.

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