SPRINGFIELD (AP) — A long-awaited plan to address Illinois' $96 billion pension problem cleared an early hurdle Monday when a House committee approved a proposal that freezes cost-of-living increases and calls for higher employee contributions.

The House Personnel and Pensions Committee voted 6-3 to give the go-ahead to the plan backed by Gov. Pat Quinn and House Minority Leader Tom Cross. But it's uncertain whether the plan will advance further before the lame duck session ends Wednesday.

The sponsor of the bill, Democratic Rep. Elaine Nekritz, said both Democrats and Republicans were assessing how many House lawmakers support the measure before deciding whether to call for a floor vote. The House adjourned for the day on Monday afternoon, and Nekritz said lawmakers would meet to consult.