You are well aware that the push for pension reform is coming to a head again. The Tribune and the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club are again behind this push.

Our state organization, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, is working on the premise that any changes should be CONSTITUTIONAL, FAIR, and SUSTAINABLE. What does that mean? The Illinois Constitution (Article XIII, Section 5) bans the “diminishment or impairment” of our pensions. Any changes must also be fair to our members. Funding needs to be sustainable for the long term.

The Illinois Legislature will meet next week and then in November for the veto session. Be prepared to take action.

Starting with Tuesday’s late news, the Illinois is Broke campaign ran a commercial which will run until after the veto session is over. The ad has someone going door-to-door talking about the pension debt and asking for support for a huge amount of taxes. It ends with the door being slammed in his face.

The Illinois is Broke coalition has also put out a video using a teacher to convince us that teachers should accept changes to their pensions.

TRS’ answer to the video

Pension Senate Bill 512 Update