Illinois Unions Challenging Reform Law Ask Supreme Court to Slow Down

When the lawsuit against Illinois’ pension reform law went to the Supreme Court, the Court obliged the state’s request for an expedited process.

The state, win or lose, wants the court’s decision as soon as possible.

But unions and public employees fighting the law are now asking the court to slow down the process. They say they need more time to respond to arguments presented in briefs filed by nearly a dozen groups in support of the law last week.

From Northern Public Radio:

Unions and others fighting to prevent Illinois’ pension law from taking effect are asking the state Supreme Court to ease up on its accelerated timeline.A Sangamon County judge ruled the measure unconstitutional. But Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed paperwork earlier this month that says the state can use “police powers” to cut pensions.

Ten other groups filed briefs backing Madigan’s position.

John Fitzgerald is an attorney who represents retired public school teachers. He says lawyers need more time to respond to all of those additional arguments.

Fitzgerald says his side is still confident reducing benefits is illegal.

“Although we believe that the arguments raised by the amici need to be evaluated and responded to, we do not believe that any of those arguments have any merit; we do not believe that the amici have raised any arguments that should change the outcome of this case.”

The lawyers are asking for an additional month to file briefs with the court. Currently, the briefs are due Feb. 16.