A group of Illinois unions announced their support for a class action lawsuit against SB1313, a law that takes away guaranteed state-subsidized health care to public employee retirees. Signed by Gov. Pat Quinn in June, SB1313 ends the policy of paying full health care costs for retirees who worked at least 20 years for the state.

As Progress Illinois has reported, the law is tied to Quinn's overall effort to reduce public employee pensions. The suit claims that Quinn and the General Assembly violated the state constitution by breaking a contract made with public employees.

The unions involved in the suit are AFSCME Council 31, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the Illinois Nurses Association, and Troopers Lodge 41/Fraternal Order of Police.