Mike Halpin is settling into his new job representing residents of Illinois' 72nd House District after being sworn in last week in Springfield.
It's Pat Verschoore's old seat in the statehouse, and Halpin is also moving into his predecessor's district office in Rock Island.
Like almost every other Illinois lawmaker, Halpin says the General Assembly must pass a budget. The senate has introduced a package of bills to "get the ball rolling."
"My understanding is it's fairly broad-ranging and a lot of controversial ideas, to be sure," Halpin says. "But I think it's good it's getting the conversation started, at least without talking about concrete numbers as opposed to abstract concepts."
Halpin says pension reform is crucial, but he's committed to full funding, unlike past governors and Illinois legislators who failed to do so. The Democrat, who also worked for Congressman Lane Evans, is open to pension reform, but state employees must have a say in the process.
"I'm not particularly supportive of efforts that cut pensions for employees that have been paying into the system, Halpin says. "I don't think it's fair to reduce those benefits and, frankly, I don't think it's constitutional to reduce those benefits for those employees that have been playing by the rules this entire time.
The attorney from Rock Island voted for Mike Madigan to be Speaker of the House. Halpin says it was a choice between two imperfect candidates, and he had to support the one who's has fought for middle class families in the past.
