SPRINGFIELD – State lawmakers inched along Thursday with ideas aimed at solving Illinois’ nearly $100 billion pension crisis as three different proposals – including a bipartisan plan – saw movement.

The bipartisan plan is sponsored by House Republican Leader Tom Cross and Democratic state Rep. Elaine Nekritz and requires higher employee contributions and generally delays cost-of-living increases until age 67, among other things. It also tests out making universities and some school districts pick up their own pension costs for new employees.

The House Personnel and Pensions Committee approved it 9 -1, sending it to the full House.