SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — An attempt at solving Illinois' worst-in-the-nation pension problem faces its first test Monday as a House committee considers a plan calling for more employee contributions and freezing cost-of-living increases for retirees.

The proposal — which has the backing of Gov. Pat Quinn and House Minority Leader Tom Cross — emerged Sunday as lawmakers entered the final stretch of the lame-duck session.

"We've been working together, we certainly want to get something moving," said Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, spokeswoman for Cross, R-Oswego. "But like anything, this is pretty huge magnitude. We've got to make sure that we have a good chance to take a look at it."