We Are One Illinois Statement on Governor Pat Quinn's State of the State Address

The following statement was issued by the We Are One Illinois coalition in response to Governor Pat Quinn's 2013 State of the State speech:

"Governor Pat Quinn presented a false choice today between funding pensions or funding vital services, like education and public safety. We present a different choice. Our plan would generate billions in revenue, share in the sacrifice, and should not be overlooked. Public workers and retirees alone cannot solve decades of the state's pension under-funding.

It would be irresponsible for the state to walk away from the pension debt owed for past services performed by employees. Our Illinois keeps its promises to those workers and retirees who taught our children, protected our families, and paid their fair share for a secure future, even as the state failed to generate sufficient revenue to do so.

We are ready to be part of the solution, and we look to renew this commitment at our summit.”