SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A new state law will make it tougher for felons to receive a public pension.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Monday giving Illinois’ attorney general more power to stop pension payments to convicted felons.

Legislators sought the state law change after former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge was allowed to keep his pension. Burge was convicted of lying about torturing suspects.

The Illinois Supreme Court in July upheld a lower court ruling that Attorney General Lisa Madigan couldn’t challenge a Chicago police pension board decision allowing Burge to keep his taxpayer-supported pension.
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