Illinois House passes cap on annual pension increases in major reform

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. March 21 (Reuters) - The Illinois House on Thursday took a major step towards reining in the state's big and growing public pension costs, passing a bill capping annual cost-of-living pension increases.

Supporters of the measure, which passed in a 66-50 vote, said it deals with the largest cost factor driving up Illinois' already $96.8 billion unfunded pension liability.