It took three months for it to happen. But over the weekend, Governor Pat Quinn finally debuted his Internet pension campaign. It's supposed to spur legislators to overhaul Illinois' retirement systems.
Quinn is trying to use social media to educate voters about the "squeeze" pension costs are putting on other state spending, like education.
There's a twitter account, a Facebook page, and ThisIsMyIllinois.com. So far the website is mostly a 3:43 video explaining the history of pensions, with the help of a cartoon snake named "Squeezy the Pension Python."
Democratic Representative Jack Franks of Marengo says at first, he thought it was a joke: "Or that someone had hacked into his account, and now when I realize, that it's his attempt here, that he's serious about it, I'm embarrassed for him."
Other legislators are more diplomatic. But so far none have said it's done anything to change their mind.
Ted Dabrowksi, with the conservative Illinois Policy Institute, says he's all for educating and engaging the public.
"But really I think people are looking for a lot more from the governor. The situation has gotten so serious and the pension crisis worsens every day that we don't act. So I think people were expecting much, much more."
Dabrowski says the one thing the online campaign is lacking is the most important: an actual plan.
