Republican leaders say Quinn shares pension blame

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Republican leaders say lawmakers needed to hear Gov. Pat Quinn's harsh words about Illinois' pension crisis today, but that the Chicago Democrat also shares in the blame.

Quinn told legislators in his budget address Wednesday that their failure to pass pension reform led to the most difficult budget he's had to present. It includes a $400 million cut to education.

House Republican Leader Rep. Tom Cross likened Quinn's speech to getting a lecture from a parent. But he says it was a message the General Assembly needed to hear.

Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno is more critical. She says most of the action on pensions so far has occurred in the Legislature and that Quinn has been "woefully absent."

Illinois' $97 billion pension problem is the nation's worst.