They described the idea as a demonstration of their willingness to make sacrifices to solve the pension crisis, which might make it easier to pass a broader plan that would include state employees, university staff and teachers, they said.

"We know something needs to be done and we're going to do it to ourselves first," said Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a Northbrook Democrat who chairs the House pensions committee. "Whether it loosens things up in the immediate future or several months from now, I don't have a sense for that."

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