State Rep. Deb Conroy Reflects On Freshman Session, Pension Reform

State Rep. Deb Conroy (D-46, Elmhurst) met with members of the media Monday to discuss her work in the Illinois House of Representatives.

The main issue on Conroy's mind was pension reform.

"My concern and the biggest reason anyone was elected in Illinois was pension reform," Conroy said. "I am in favor of the long-term plan."

Conroy favors the plan introduced by House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-Buffalo Grove).

Without a long-term plan, the state's bond rating will not improve. She was critical of a plan introduced by State Sen. John Cullerton, saying it doesn't go far enough to address the long-term issues.

Reflecting on her freshman session in the House, Conroy said it was a new process and she had a lot to learn.

"I wanted to be a freshman that would lay low and stay under the radar," she said, adding that didn't happen. "I logged about three hours of debate in my freshman year, which is about two hours more than standard."

Conroy heads back to Springfield Wednesday for a special session on pension reform.

Watch our video and hear Conroy share her thoughts on what will transpire during the session.