Illinois Senate Republicans Support Quinn’s Pension, Medicaid Plans

Friday, April 06, 2012

GLEN ELLYN, Ill. (CBS) – Illinois Senate Republicans say there’s a lot not to like about Gov. Pat Quinn’s budget plans, and the way he’s running the state. But as WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, they are siding with Quinn on a couple of big issues.

Top Republican senators attending an event in Glen Ellyn Thursday said Quinn deserves poor marks on job creation, economic policies, and for letting the state’s credit rating fall. But Sen. Carole Pankau (R-Roselle) said Quinn’s plans to rein in Medicaid spending and cut public employee pension costs are very much in line with GOP plans.

“Do we know what we have to do here? Do what we have to do there? Do we know what we have to trim? Do we know what we have to manage? Yes, we do,” she said. “Our plan, put it out there. The governor has a plan, well a menu, also, of things; but it’s the political will to actually do it. And that’s what’s been lacking.”

Pankau said she believes the political will is there now in Springfield to make major reforms to the state’s Medicaid system and public pensions to greatly reduce the costs to state government.

Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) who ran for governor two years ago, but lost in the Republican primary, said Quinn has had trouble getting his agenda through the legislature in the past, but is encouraged this year.

Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) said if nothing is done this year about Medicaid and public employee pensions, the system could implode.