Judge Strikes Down Pension Law

(Undated) -- The state's pension law is unconstitutional. A Springfield judge struck the law down, saying lawmakers can't reduce or diminish state worker or retiree benefits, and attorney John Carr says this is a win for thousands of hard workers. Carr represents the State Universities Annuitants Association. Union leaders had blasted the law, claiming it was outright theft because it reduced cost-of-living raises for retirees and forced current workers to stay on the job longer. Lawmakers were hoping the changes would help shore up the pension systems' 100-billion-dollar shortfall. But union leaders filed suit shortly after the deal passed late last year. Attorneys for the state are expected to appeal directly to the Supreme Court.