This is in response to a letter printed Feb. 11 [“Bankrupt state should cut back on charity cases,” Charles Derer] regarding the state of Illinois’ economy and the misguided belief that problems are a result of the public employee unions. This is simply not true.

Public employees are hard-working, tax-paying citizens, just like everyone else. They do not receive “free” benefits. Their pensions are much like a private-sector employee’s 401(k) plan. They are mandated to pay a portion of their salary each month into the pension fund.

The problem began when the state neglected to make its “matching” contribution for several years. The employees have always paid their share, and it is time that the state does, too.