SPRINGFIELD — The Pritzker administration announced there is no need to extend the pension payment schedule next year because of better-than-expected tax revenue.
“We are pleased the governor is planning to fully fund the state’s pension obligation this year. We strongly encourage our lawmakers to make sure the money set aside for the state’s pension payment is not diverted to other uses. Our members have been paying their fair share into their pensions year after year, however, the state has repeatedly skipped its payments and created our pension crisis. Based on the IEA’s State of Education report, we know that 75 percent of Illinoisans believe teachers should get their full pensions because they do not receive Social Security. We’re happy to see the will of the people is on its way to being fulfilled.”
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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest education employee’s organization. IEA represents preK-12 teachers outside of the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.
