SPRINGFIELD, IL - A new Illinois law will keep former lawmakers from boosting their public pensions by taking a short-term government job at a higher salary.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Thursday requiring a city or county that hires a former legislator for less than two years to pay the increased share of the former lawmaker's pension.

Illinois House Minority Leader Tom Cross sponsored the measure. The Oswego Republican says it will tighten a loophole that has been abused for years.

The legislation follows reports in the Chicago Tribune on Chicago Democrat Robert Molaro, a former state representative who increased his pension to more than $120,000 a year by working one month for Chicago Alderman Edward Burke.

The pension deals were permitted under agreements between government agencies and the General Assembly Retirement System.