Gov. Quinn signs bill that makes it tougher for felons to receive public pensions

Posted on December 30, 2014

By The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD – A new state law will make it tougher for felons to receive a public pension.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Monday giving Illinois' attorney general more power to stop pension payments to convicted felons.

Legislators sought the state law change after former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge was allowed to keep his pension. Burge was convicted of lying about torturing suspects.

The Illinois Supreme Court in July upheld a lower court ruling that Attorney General Lisa Madigan couldn't challenge a Chicago police pension board decision allowing Burge to keep his taxpayer-supported pension.

State Sen. Kwame Raoul is a Chicago Democrat. He says it's "unconscionable" that Burge receives a pension and the law allows "taxpayers a way to fight back."

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