SPRINGFIELD - An Illinois Senate committee on Wednesday rejected a measure that would force local government to pick up the tab when it gives an ex-lawmaker a big paycheck to fatten his pension.

The bill passed the House on a 110-0 vote in March. The legislation sought to require cities, villages or other governments employing a former lawmaker for short periods of time to pay for the additional pension expenses that go with the new job, said House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego, who sponsored the bill in his chamber.

"It says unfortunately part of the General Assembly doesn't get it, and we need to be going out of our way to put some faith and integrity back in the general assembly and it's almost a lack of recognition that there's a problem and abuses are taking place," Cross said.