Gov: Pensions to blame for IL's worst-ever budget

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Pat Quinn says inaction on Illinois' worst-in-the-nation pension problem has produced the state's worst-ever budget.

Quinn proposed a spending plan Wednesday that slashes funding for schools and universities. It also makes cuts to local governments, public transportation and other programs, though the full extent of those reductions won't be known until the Legislature approves a final budget.

Quinn called it "the most difficult budget Illinois has ever faced."

He blamed the situation on lawmakers. He says their failure to fix Illinois' $97 billion pension crisis means payments to public employee retirement funds are taking money from other priorities.

Republicans say the Democratic governor shares in the blame.

Quinn also proposed eliminating some corporate tax loopholes to help pay off a nearly $9 billion backlog of unpaid bills.