First Illinois voters to be asked overwhelmingly back public pension reform

Barrington Township became the first local government in Illinois to back changing the Illinois Constitution so public pensions can be brought under control. While essentially an opinion poll, the overwhelming approval shows elected leaders must address this issue.

Barrington Township voters became the first in Illinois to approve constitutional reform as the solution to the single-largest fiscal issue facing the state: Illinois’ nation-leading pension crisis.

The non-binding referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot asked if Barrington Township voters supported constitutional pension reform to protect workers’ existing retirements and generate savings which could provide property tax relief or be reinvested in the community.

Barrington Township voters accepted the proposal gauging residents’ interest on constitutional pension reform, with 73% voting “yes” and 27% voting “no” with all precincts reporting.

The referendum was brought to the township and promoted by Barrington Township Republican Committeeman Peter Kopsaftis.

This was just an advisory question which will not change any laws. But lawmakers should view the results as a mandate to pursue a constitutional amendment addressing Illinois’ nation-leading pension crisis.

Changing the Illinois Constitution would require lawmakers in the House and Senate to pass the amendment with three-fifths support before sending it back to voters for approval in a future referendum.

Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation pension crisis has left taxpayers on the hook for $211 billion in unfunded state and local pension liabilities.

Not only is Illinois’ pension debt the largest in the U.S. as a percentage of the state’s gross domestic product, but it’s also the worst funded in the nation at about 51%. It falls between the 60% experts describe as deeply troubled and funding ratios below 40% that are likely past the point of no return.

While decades of fiscal mismanagement by lawmakers is largely responsible for Illinois’ current pension predicament, residents have been forced to cover the growing costs, primarily through higher property taxes.

As a result, residential property taxes in Illinois have increased 215% since 1996.
A pension reform plan such as one originally developed by the Illinois Policy Institute – based loosely on bipartisan 2013 reforms that passed the Statehouse and were approved by the governor – would help to eliminate state and local unfunded pension liabilities and achieve retirement security for government pensioners without taking away current benefits. A constitutional amendment is needed because the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that any changes were unconstitutional.

The passage of the Barrington Township constitutional pension reform referendum confirmed voters want a say when it comes to the biggest fiscal issue facing our state.

It’s time lawmakers give every Illinoisan a chance to speak up about this issue by putting a constitutional pension reform referendum on the next statewide ballot.