Dozens of employees from private education groups and Special Olympics linked to Illinois State University are eligible for public pensions, according to a report in the "Chicago Tribune." State law allows colleges and universities to designate the employees, even though the university doesn't hire them or pay their salaries. ISU spokesman Jay Groves says it's a partnership that dates back 40 years and he said it helps the institution's goals. He adds it's a common occurrence for public universities to partner with private groups, noting that the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois and Northern Illinois universities have similar arrangements. The light is being shined on the issue as lawmakers tackle massive loopholes and underfunding within the state's pension systems. Groves says the real problem with the pension system is that the state has not funded it appropriately for about 30 years and has taken money from it without paying it back.