Legislative candidates say Illinois voters are asking some tough questions about gridlock on the state's pension problems.

Some questions are from public employees worried about possible cuts to their retirement benefits. Others are from people frustrated by inaction on another major problem.

Candidates say it's not clear whether the pension mess will sway many votes but they consider it an important issue

For instance, Republican House candidate Jonathan Greenberg says it raises questions about the judgment of his opponent, Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a top negotiator on pension issues.

Nekritz says she'll handle that kind of criticism by talking about her own ideas and not by defending conduct at the state Capitol.

Officials want to cut the growth in state pension costs, but they're divided on how to do it.