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Illinois Governor Pat Quinn promises thousands of angry teachers he won't have them contribute two percent more of their salaries to cover pensions. But the battle between educators and state lawmakers is far from over.

About 75 Stateline teachers join thousands in Springfield rallying for action on two key issues: Pensions and school funding. Governor Pat Quinn is promising changes, but he faced some jeers from a tough crowd when he addressed the teachers.

Gov. Pat Quinn no longer wants teachers to pay an extra 2 percent of their paychecks on pensions next school year.  The higher payment was part of Quinn's original plan to help close a state budget deficit. But he told teachers at a rowdy Springfield teachers' rally on Wednesday that he's pulling the proposal off the table.

Gov. Pat Quinn was booed by 3,000 angry teachers and education supporters today when he walked into a rally with, depending on your point of view, perfect timing.  Illinois Education Association member Jenny Barrett was firing up the crowd, wanting to know why Quinn has proposed changing her pension plan.  "Gov. Quinn, if you’re listening, I have a few questions for you,” said Barrett, just as Quinn happened to approach the stage.

 

Standing before more than 2,000 angry union members Wednesday, Gov. Pat Quin canceled his call to increase pension costs for Illinois teachers, university staff and state employees.  The Democratic governor had proposed raising workers' pension contributions by 2 percent in an effort to cut government spending. He paired the increase with a plan to create a two-tiered retirement system that offered fewer benefits to new employees.