Lawmakers' plans to restructure the state's pension systems has fallen apart. They were in Springfield Friday to hash out an agreement but left with no deal. State representative Daniel Biss says their lack of progress makes them all look like idiots. Representative Mike Bost seconded that notion. He says they need to get off the political bandwagon and work on behalf of the people they represent. The House did take a parliamentary vote on a proposed amendment that would change their own retirement benefits. It would give them a choice between accepting a smaller growth in their pension checks or losing their free healthcare. Future lawmakers would not get any state retirement benefits at all. Supporters called the proposal the first step toward meaningful reform. Opponents say that's a joke.
