SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois lawmakers gave a preliminary nod to a money-saving move on Wednesday that would take away a big health care perk for retired government workers, part of a battle over cutting state pension costs.

The proposal by Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, moved to the House floor after getting approval from the Democrat-controlled Executive Committee. It could become a bargaining chip with a public-employee union angry over looming cuts to pension benefits, particularly because Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn asked lawmakers to adopt it as he negotiates a new contract, according to Madigan.

Quinn wants to reduce the state's annual pension payment by making employees work longer, put more of their pay into retirement funds and get smaller cost-of-living increases after retirement. The unions maintain that would violate the state constitution.