Illinois voters will decide this fall whether to change the state constitution so that it's more difficult to sweeten government pensions.

The proposed amendment would require a three-fifths vote in the state Senate and House before pension benefits could be improved for public employees. Right now, it can be done by a simple majority vote.

The Illinois Senate approved the amendment 51-2 Thursday. Since the House approved it earlier, it now goes on the November ballot.

Growing pension costs are a major concern for the Illinois budget, although increased benefits are only one part of the rising costs.

It's not clear that this amendment would have a major impact at the Capitol. Most past benefit increases were approved by overwhelming majorities.