Will County Gazette

At least four Republican Illinois House candidates have pledged to refuse taxpayer-funded pensions ahead of the November general election.

Alyssia Benford, who is running for the 98th District seat, announced on social media that she signed the pledge.

"I am committed to saving the taxpayers money, and refuse to add to the pension problems,” Benford wrote on Facebook. “I am joining with those that seek to create workable solutions and sound pension reform."

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton)

Others recently signing the document includes House candidates Ammie Kessem, Marilyn Smolenski and Senate candidate Craig Wilcox. The pledge was crafted by Wirepoints.com, which states that 50 other lawmakers have also signed the pledge.

“They should be commended,” Benford said of the pledge signers. “It’s an essential first step toward real reform.”

During a recent press conference, Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) discussed Illinois’ bond credit rating, noting that investors may be leery of the state’s $10 billion annual pension liability deficit. She cited a document the state sent investors, acknowledging an underlying $1.2 billion structural deficit in the state’s finances.

“The state provides no assurances as to how, when or in what form this structural deficit might be addressed,” she said, quoting from the state’s prospectus to investors.

Ives also said the Federal Trade Commission had at one point chided the state for potential investor fraud for not disclosing the extent of its pension liability crisis, hence the disclosure in the bond prospectus to investors.

“If you think the budget was unfunded by just $1.2 billion, actually we’re underfunding the state pension system as it sits right now by $3 to $4 billion when you take into account all five (pension) systems,” Ives said.

Ives refused a pension for her own service in the state legislature, Benford said.

The 98th District includes Will County and the cities of Crest Hill and Joliet.