State Rep. Franks: Take away new lawmakers’ pensions

You know this makes a lot of sense to me. At the very least change the terms of those new comers to the civil service so that they can't benefit as generously from public pensions as so many have had in the past or even currently:

Rep. Jack Franks, a Marengo Democrat, wants to take the chances for state pensions away from all future lawmakers.

Franks has filed legislation that would keep all members of the Illinois General Assembly taking office in 2013 and after out of the state pension system in an effort to save money.

Franks acknowledges doing so wouldn’t make a huge difference to the state’s huge budget problems, but he said it’s important to cut where possible.

“I can’t think of anywhere else a person can work part-time and receive a pension, let alone a pension as lucrative as those received by Illinois lawmakers,” Franks said in a statement.

In 2008 where many people were focused on electing our then US Senator to the Presidency, Illinois also had the option to vote for a state constitutional convention. There were many who opposed it because they feared the impact it could have on state pensions. Of course pensions are an issue now that many of the states are suffering through financial deficits.

And it's perfectly reasonable for Rep. Franks to exclude those who have already earned their benefits. Just focus on those who will join the civil service in the future and change the terms of their pensions. I won't say they shouldn't earn one, but that the system can't stay as is now.