CHICAGO (AP) - A new Illinois law barring government employees from drawing a pension while earning another public paycheck doesn't apply to the vast majority of current workers. That leaves thousands free to "double dip" after retirement and it does little to help desperately underfunded pension systems. Last year, legislators passed a law restricting double dipping, though only for workers hired - not simply retired - after Jan.1 of this year. Most current employees would be permitted to double dip even if they retire decades from now. Lawmakers said they had no choice because the state constitution doesn't let them reduce retirement benefits for unionized public employees. But critics say that's a matter of interpretation, especially because future double dippers already would be retired from their current jobs before they got another. k0l31
