Governor Quinn wants lawmakers to pass a pension reform package before January 9th. Quinn says he wants Republican input on the pension overhaul, which would be very unlikely if lawmakers waited until the newly elected lawmakers are sworn in. Democrats will take a super majority on January 9th which means they can pass any bill in both houses without Republican support. The governor says the state's pension backlog is one of the most pressing issues in the state and it must be fixed in order to fund things like education and public safety.