Passing pension reform in Illinois isn’t an easy task.

Even if you separate from the conversation politics and the powerful influence that public employee unions have, the solutions will be difficult, even painful, for some, and we can expect legal challenges to any legislation that makes its way to Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk.

For years, everyone knew a pension fix wouldn’t be easy, as the shortfall for funding the system creeps closer toward $100 billion. It creeps closer by at least $17 million each day, depending on who’s doing the calcuations.