Chicago pension overhaul voided

A Cook County judge has thrown out a 2014 law aimed at reducing multibillion-dollar shortfalls in two Chicago pension funds.

Judge Rita Novak said Friday the law is unconstitutional.

The overhaul sought to eliminate a $9.4-billion unfunded pension liability by cutting benefits and increasing contributions. It would affect about 61,000 city employees and retirees.

Workers, retirees and labor unions sued, saying the state constitution protects retirement benefits. Novak agreed, citing a recent state Supreme Court ruling that said similar changes to state pension funds were unconstitutional.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has said that without the overhaul pension funds will become insolvent.