SPRINGFIELD – Rank-and-file lawmakers frustrated by slow progress and finger-pointing offered their own solution to Illinois’ multibillion-dollar pension crisis Wednesday, saying legislators need to take a new approach before the state is sent into “financial oblivion.”

But legislative leaders questioned whether the idea is constitutional or saves the necessary billions of dollars, which might put lawmakers right back where they started with just weeks to go in the legislative session.

More than 20 House members – including a handful of Republicans – joined Rep. Elaine Nekritz, chairwoman of the House pension committee, in a debut of the proposal designed to put a jolt into stalled talks on the final day of the fall veto session.