CAT Tracks for May 29, 2012
PENSION UPDATE

The Illinois Education Association issues a CALL TO ACTION!


Update May 29 - Stop pension cutting bill SB 1673


House and Senate committees this morning are holding hearings intended to move pension-cutting legislation SB 1673 quickly through the legislative process.

As expected SB 1673 cuts benefits for active and retired participants in five state retirement systems, including TRS and SURS.

Among other things this bill:

  • Forces active employees who do not agree to a reduced Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to lose access to health insurance. In addition, the amount of salary on which their pension is based would be capped.

  • Does not include the guaranteed pension funding language that the labor coalition has asked for in order to consider other pension changes.

  • Reduces retiree benefits by offering a choice between either keeping the current COLA benefit but losing access to health insurance, or, agreeing to a reduced COLA while retaining access to insurance.

  • Calls for local districts to take over system payments currently made by the state (phased in).

  • Changes the balance on the TRS board by adding four new seats for members of local school boards.

  • Bars districts from bargaining the impact of any changes made by this law.


It's imperative that every IEA member pick up the phone and call his/her representative and senator.

To be connected to your legislator call:

888-412-6570

PLEASE SHARE THIS NUMBER WITH IEA MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

Download the new pension fact sheet. Use it during your call to your legislators.

Lawmakers must be told:

  1. They must support only constitutional solutions that are agreed to by IEA and the other employee unions.

  2. They cannot let the pension problem be fixed solely on the backs of teachers, higher education faculty and other public employees.

    They must oppose any "fast track" attempts to ram through solutions. Legislators must hear these messages directly from IEA members. Make the call now.


"It is crucial that the legislators hear the actual voices of their constituents - our members," said IEA President Cinda Klickna. "We've sent thousands of emails, but now we need to move to the next level. That means getting on the phone and talking directly to lawmakers."