CHICAGO (AP) – An attorney says the city of Chicago will appeal a judge’s ruling that a 2014 overhaul of two pension funds is unconstitutional.
In a statement Friday, Chicago corporation counsel Stephen Patton says the city is disappointed in the decision. He says the city looks forward to having its arguments heard by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Cook County Judge Rita Novak threw out the pension changes on Friday. She cited an earlier Illinois Supreme Court ruling that said similar changes to state pension funds violated the state constitution.
The overhaul sought to eliminate a $9.4 billion unfunded pension liability by cutting benefits and increasing contributions. Workers, retirees and labor unions sued, saying the constitution prohibits reducing pension benefits.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has said without the overhaul pension funds will become insolvent.
