Legislation Update and Pending Bills
Core Legislation status.

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Latest PAGE update:  June 20, 2010

 To find your legislators, click on Project Vote Smart, and enter your 9 digit zip code in the box at the left side of the screen.

STATE OF ILLINOIS LEGISLATION
(SEE BELOW - CLICK HERE - FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION)


A small but meaningful victory - the annual $75 million health insurance rebate was funded for a HALF YEAR at $37.5 million, mostly due to the efforts of RTAC's lobbyist.  This is 50% of the annual rate.  CTPF fared well when compared to many other agencies ... many received only 40 to 48% of their full year budget.  Consequently the health insurance rebate should remain at its current level for the next 6 months.  We need to be watchful that we receive the 'other 50%' during the next session.
Another small but meaningful victory squashed - HB 4826 (see below) was passed out of committee to the full House with a recommendation of 'Do Pass' but then voted down (see below for the vote).
A BIG defeat for anyone hired after January 1, 2011- Bill 1946 changes the defined benefit pension plan to a defined contribution pension plan, does not pay a pension until a retiree reaches the age of 67 and averages the last EIGHT years of service to determine the amount of the pension (see below for the vote). 

Be Watchful!

On July 19, 2009, WBBM (780) radio interviewed Senate President Cullerton on their 'At Issue' program.  At one point, when talking about sources of revenue, he pointed out that Illinois is one of the few states that does not tax retirement income.

(CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF THE 2010 LEGISLATION AND THE CURRENT STATUS OF THAT LEGISLATION as of May 20, 2010)

For the latest status go to Legislation status - Illinois or click on the bill number in the table below

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR BREAKING NEWS ON ANY BILL(S) THAT PROPOSE PENSION CHANGES!


2010 LEGISLATION UPDATE

Bill
(click link for latest info)

Sponsor
(info
below)
Status as of 5/28/10
Proposed Action
SB3932#
L.Viverito Referred to Assignments Committee
Applies the Illinois Income Tax to Pensions.  As written at this time, applies only to the first $60,000 and will not apply to those over the age of 67.  Read the entire bill here (especially Pages 15 & 60).
1946

Passed
See House vote
See Senate vote
Changes the pension from a defined benefit system to a defined contribution system for employees hired after Jan. 1, 2011
HB4582
M. Davis
Lost
See House vote
Requires the State of Illinois to contribute to the CTPF at least 20% of what they now pay to the downstate Retirement System.
 HB4826
W. Davis
Referred to Rules Committee
Raise the health insurance rebate authorization from $65,000,000 to $100,000,000
HB4827
W. Davis Referred to Rules Committee Changes reimbursement for health care to a flat 75%
HB4828
Rita Referred to Rules Committee Accelerates the annual increase in pensions to the January following the first anniversary of retirement
HB4829
Rita Referred to Rules Committee Provides for an early retirement incentive for certain teachers - allows the purchase of up to 5 years of age enhancement
HB4830
Rita Referred to Rules Committee Raises the maximum allowable service retirement pension from 75% to 80%
HB4831
Rita Referred to Rules Committee allows teachers to receive a pension at age 60 with 10 years of service
HB4832
Rita Referred to Rules Committee Liberalizes the provisions relating to validated service
HB4833
Rita Referred to Rules Committee Eliminates the required contribution for converting past service to the augmented retirement formula and provided for a refund and a recalculation of payments
HB4834
Rita Referred to Rules Committee Allows for overtime, summer and other optional services to be included in the salary for pension calculation purposes
HB4848
Saviano
Referred to Rules Committee Directs CPS to 'Demand' that the Chicago City Council levy a property tax of 1% with the proceeds to go to the Pension Fund
HB4849
Saviano Referred to Rules Committee Provides for a one-time increase in certain annuities
HB4850
Saviano Referred to Rules Committee Extends circumstances for dependent children of deceased teachers
HB4851
Saviano Referred to Rules Committee Increases the minimum total survivor's pension to 50% of earned retirement pension for survivors of members who died prior to 1/1/87
HB4857
Harris Referred to Rules Committee Similar to HB4870
HB4870
Mell Referred to Rules Committee Addresses the domestic partner issue

    # bills that have highest interest

Here is a list of the office addresses and phone numbers of the above legislators.
Representative Michael Madigan
22nd District
Chairman of the Rules Committee
6500 South Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL  60629

773-581-8000
Springfield #
217-782-5350
Representative Angelo Saviano
77th District
14 Conti Parkway
Elmwood Park IL 60707
708-453-7547
Representative Monique Davis
27th District
1234 West 95th Street
Chicago, IL  60643
773-445-9700
Representative William Davis
30th District
1912 W. 174th Street
East Hazel Crest, IL  60429
708-799-7300
Representative Robert Rita
28th District
2355 West York Street, Suite 1
Blue Island, IL  60406
708-396-2822
Representative Greg Harris
13th District
1967 W. Montrose
Chicago, IL  60613
773-384-3434
Representative Deborah Mell
40th District
3657 N. Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL  60618
773-267-2880

For other Illinois Legislators use the following links:
Illinois Senate by district or Illinois Senate by name
Illinois House by district or Illinois House by name

Voice your opinion!!  Personal visits to the office, letters, e-mails are much more effective than phone calls.



FEDERAL LEGISLATION

Support the Social Security Fairness Act of 2009 (H.R.235 and S.484) to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)
See also http://www.ssfairness.com/ AND
sign the NEA electronic petition on the NEA website (in paragraph four ).

STAND BY FOR FURTHER CALLS TO ACTION!

(For subject hints, see the Lobbying page.)

For direct information, use these official government links:

Legislation status - Illinois

Legislation status - Federal

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