Echoes of Washington. Springfield partisan manipulation and the pension hurt.

Chair of the Gang of Ten Illinois State Senator Kwame Raoul.

From the Daily Journal:

Four Republicans want a pension crisis fix to be more far-reaching. One of six Democrats wants more concessions to unions.

With the Illinois Legislature’s fall veto session a week away, an Associated Press survey of a special 10-member committee tasked with finding a solution to the state’s enormous public pension shortfall found that half the members, all Democrats, support a recently proposed plan estimated to save about $138 billion. The other half — a key Democrat and all four Republicans — say they still have major concerns.

A partisan split is developing as Republicans — three of whom are running for higher office next year — are demanding more information on additional cost-cutting measures they’re seeking, which could take weeks.

“We know the Democrats can’t pass this on their own,” said Republican Sen. Bill Brady. “Unfortunately I don’t see anything happening legislatively for at least four weeks at the earliest.”

But with the committee serving as a microcosm of the General Assembly and its struggle over the issue, a Democratic senator, Linda Holmes, also has yet to come on board.

By law, the full Legislature cannot consider the emerging proposal unless it is signed by six of the committee’s 10 members.

Here is a breakdown of where committee members stand.