Madigan's pension package breezes through committee  Updated:
May 1, 2013 3:05PM  SPRINGFIELD - In a rare step into the public
spotlight Wednesday, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan
advanced his new pension package to reign in annual pension
increases for retired state workers and teachers over the
misgivings of state union leaders.  Madigan's measure, which he
said will see a vote on the House floor Thursday, moved out of
the House Personnel and Pensions Committee on a bi-partisan 9-1
vote. After the hearing, the speaker unflappably predicted the
bill's passage in both the House and the Senate.  "This
amendment would offer comprehensive reform to the Illinois
pension systems," Madigan testified before committee members.
"It would bring solvency and stability to the four [pension]
systems."  The proposal has the support of House Republican
leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego), and it gained more traction
Wednesday when he signed on as one of the bill's co-sponsors
along with House pension experts Rep. Elaine Nekr