• Call your legislator at 888-412-6570.

You could say the following:

As your constituent, a voter and an IEA member I am calling to urge you to vote NO on any pension bill opposed by the IEA.

Please oppose any legislation that forces teachers and public employees to unfairly pick up the entire cost of the state's pension debt.

The pension represents the entire life savings for most Illinois public school teachers, as they do not receive Social Security.

The public employees didn't cause this mess but we are willing to help fix it. You and the other members of the legislature need to work with the unions to find a fair and constitutional solution to the pension problem.

Thank you for considering my views.

• Email your lawmakers and Gov. Pat Quinn.

  Click here to send a pre-written message.

The fight to defend member pensions is underway!

Pension Update for May 14, 2012

For weeks, IEA leaders, as well as leaders from IFT, AFSCME and other labor unions that are part of the We Are One Illinois coalition, have been meeting with top legislators to exchange ideas on how to fix the state's pension crisis in a fair way that respects the Illinois constitution and helps ensure the sustainability of the pension systems.

Despite the willingness of the We Are One coalition to accept ideas that would have saved the state billions of dollars, the legislative leaders and Gov. Quinn appear ready to plan to "fast track" legislation that would forever alter your retirement security by making you pay more to get less. It would require employees to work until age 67 and change Cost of Living Adjustments for current retirees as well as active employees.

You may recall 2010, when lawmakers introduced and voted on a two-tier pension system within a 24-hour period. This method of lawmaking is called fast-tracking. It is designed to catch our members off guard, to dull our reaction and shut us out of the legislative process. It's often used to move bad legislation. In fact, it was just used last week to change retiree healthcare. It's perfect timing, too, if you'll note that many of our members are making end of school year preparations - finals, graduations, class programs, etc.

The We Are One Illinois coalition has been discussing shared sacrifices that preserve pension benefits for members and ensure the long-term stability of the systems. We've been involved in many hours of discussions to find a constitutional solution. We've offered to accept compromises that would cost our members more and have put forth a proposal that would save the state billions of dollars.

The governor's plan puts the responsibility of bailing out the pension systems - a problem created by legislators and not by participants -- completely on the backs of public employees. This is unacceptable.

A bill will likely be introduced this week. Make contact with your legislators now.

After you act, make sure to update your profile on the IEA website to include a home email address so that we can keep you informed on this issue even after the school year ends.

ACT NOW! Please call your state legislators at 888-412-6570, or drop them an email. Tell them the state must share this sacrifice.

Thank you for your time and efforts. Your future retirement security depends on it.