Gov. Quinn is urging senators to reach a compromise on pension reform. (Photo used under Creative Commons from Flickr user ChrisEaves)

By The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is dumping attempts at a compromise on public-pension reform and instead proposed a commission to recommend fixes to the state's $96 billion problem.

Quinn and the legislation's sponsor offered a last-ditch effort Tuesday afternoon that contains the extra-legislative commission. A House committee approved the measure 7-2 after a House bill crumbled in the last hours of the Legislature's lame-duck session.

The change would create an eight-member commission to come up with recommendations by April 30. It could enact those reforms with majority of five votes unless overturned by the Legislature.

Quinn likened the panel to a federal commission formed to close military bases or the former Compensation Review Board that determined lawmakers' salaries.