Legislative Update 2/23/2023 from IRTA Good Dog eNews 3/1/2023
Both Chambers were scheduled to return to session on Tuesday, February 21st for three days. For the next few weeks, legislators will focus on considering legislation at the committee level. Budget hearings will also begin, with appropriations committees reviewing agency budget requests. Governor JB Pritzker delivered his fifth Budget and State of the State Address to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly. He began his speech highlighting accomplishments from his first term including Illinois’ $17 billion bill backlog was eliminated, $2.3 billion was placed into the Rainy-Day Fund, and Illinois received six credit rating upgrades. The Governor also boasted Illinois is using budget surpluses to chip away at long-term liabilities, including pension debt. Pritzker said this progress enables Illinois to make the long-term investments presented in the proposed FY24 budget. Pensions: The proposal fully funds the $9.8 billion contribution to the state’s pension system, which faces an unfunded liability of just under $140 billion. Pritzker also proposed contributing another $200 million payment towards pensions utilizing surplus revenue from this fiscal year. Durkin, Bennett House Replacements Named New Republican appointees were named for the vacancies recently left by former House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, who resigned in January, and former Rep. Tom Bennett, who was appointed to a vacancy in the Illinois Senate. Lemont Mayor John Egofske will replace Durkin in the 82nd District. According to a press release, Egofske is a Certified Public Accountant who helped reform municipal finances in Lemont and improve bond ratings. Egofske will continue to serve as Mayor of Lemont. Livingston County Board Member Jason Bunting was sworn-in as Bennett's replacement. In addition to serving in public office, Bunting works as a family farmer. Until 2023, he served as President of the Livingston County Farm Bureau and is a Director for the Illinois Corn Growers’ Association. Rep. Fran Hurley to Leave General Assembly Gov. Pritzker appointed Rep. Fran Hurley to the Illinois Labor Relations Board. Hurley, the Moderate Caucus Whip, has served in the General Assembly since 2013 – she will be sorely missed. Hurley will resign her House seat to accept the salaried appointment to the Labor Relations Board. Her appointment is effective on March 1. New 861 Area Code is Coming to the Illinois 309 Area Code Region With new telephone numbers in west-central Illinois in high demand, the Illinois Commerce Commission approved the implementation of the new 861 area code to overlay the existing 309 area code region, starting on February 24, 2023. The 861 area code will co-exist with the 309 area code everywhere in this region. The 309 area code serves all or part of Bureau, Dewitt, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Knox, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McLean, Mercer, Peoria, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Whiteside, and Woodford counties. This includes cities and communities such as Bloomington, Canton, Galesburg, Macomb, East Moline, East Peoria, Galesburg, Moline, Normal, Pekin, Peoria, and Rock Island, as well as many other smaller communities. 2023 Key Session Deadlines: February 17: Deadline – Introduction of House Bills in the House February 28: Consolidated Primary Election March 10: Deadline – Senate Bills Out of Senate Committee & House Bills out of House Committee March 24: Deadline – Third Reading House Bills in the House March 31: Deadline – Third Reading Senate Bills in the Senate April 4: Consolidated Election April 28: Deadline – House Bills out of Senate Committee & Senate Bills out of House Committee May 11: Deadline – Third Reading House Bills in Senate May 12: Deadline – Third Reading Senate Bills in House May 19: Adjournment
Both Chambers were scheduled to return to session on Tuesday, February 21st for three days. For the next few weeks, legislators will focus on considering legislation at the committee level. Budget hearings will also begin, with appropriations committees reviewing agency budget requests. Governor JB Pritzker delivered his fifth Budget and State of the State Address to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly. He began his speech highlighting accomplishments from his first term including Illinois’ $17 billion bill backlog was eliminated, $2.3 billion was placed into the Rainy-Day Fund, and Illinois received six credit rating upgrades. The Governor also boasted Illinois is using budget surpluses to chip away at long-term liabilities, including pension debt. Pritzker said this progress enables Illinois to make the long-term investments presented in the proposed FY24 budget. Pensions: The proposal fully funds the $9.8 billion contribution to the state’s pension system, which faces an unfunded liability of just under $140 billion. Pritzker also proposed contributing another $200 million payment towards pensions utilizing surplus revenue from this fiscal year. Durkin, Bennett House Replacements Named New Republican appointees were named for the vacancies recently left by former House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, who resigned in January, and former Rep. Tom Bennett, who was appointed to a vacancy in the Illinois Senate. Lemont Mayor John Egofske will replace Durkin in the 82nd District. According to a press release, Egofske is a Certified Public Accountant who helped reform municipal finances in Lemont and improve bond ratings. Egofske will continue to serve as Mayor of Lemont. Livingston County Board Member Jason Bunting was sworn-in as Bennett's replacement. In addition to serving in public office, Bunting works as a family farmer. Until 2023, he served as President of the Livingston County Farm Bureau and is a Director for the Illinois Corn Growers’ Association. Rep. Fran Hurley to Leave General Assembly Gov. Pritzker appointed Rep. Fran Hurley to the Illinois Labor Relations Board. Hurley, the Moderate Caucus Whip, has served in the General Assembly since 2013 – she will be sorely missed. Hurley will resign her House seat to accept the salaried appointment to the Labor Relations Board. Her appointment is effective on March 1. New 861 Area Code is Coming to the Illinois 309 Area Code Region With new telephone numbers in west-central Illinois in high demand, the Illinois Commerce Commission approved the implementation of the new 861 area code to overlay the existing 309 area code region, starting on February 24, 2023. The 861 area code will co-exist with the 309 area code everywhere in this region. The 309 area code serves all or part of Bureau, Dewitt, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Knox, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McLean, Mercer, Peoria, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Whiteside, and Woodford counties. This includes cities and communities such as Bloomington, Canton, Galesburg, Macomb, East Moline, East Peoria, Galesburg, Moline, Normal, Pekin, Peoria, and Rock Island, as well as many other smaller communities. 2023 Key Session Deadlines: February 17: Deadline – Introduction of House Bills in the House February 28: Consolidated Primary Election March 10: Deadline – Senate Bills Out of Senate Committee & House Bills out of House Committee March 24: Deadline – Third Reading House Bills in the House March 31: Deadline – Third Reading Senate Bills in the Senate April 4: Consolidated Election April 28: Deadline – House Bills out of Senate Committee & Senate Bills out of House Committee May 11: Deadline – Third Reading House Bills in Senate May 12: Deadline – Third Reading Senate Bills in House May 19: Adjournment
Reports by Kim McKenna,
Ogle-Lee RTA President and Legislative Chairperson
For detailed legislative updates go to irtaonline.org , login, click on the members only tab, and then click on legislative issues.
Legislative Update January 2023
The IRTA Legislative Committee met in January. Here a few highlights from the unapproved minutes:
IRTA is in discussion with the Attorney General regarding the lawsuit on the TRIP/TRAIL funding.
Due to changes in TRAIL insurance premiums and the Federal Government funding of Medicare, the funding requirements have changed.
Although it is early in the legislative year, there have been roughly 2000 shell bills proposed and around 500 meaningful bills, none pertain to IRTA concerns.
There are 23 first year IL House members and 11 first year Senators. The new General Assembly
is comprised of 78 Democrats and 39 Republicans in the House. The Senate is 40 Democrats and 19 Republicans.
Elected official contact information can be found at: ilsbe.maps.arcgis.com
A tab should appear on the side of the map that allows you to input your zip code. Then the names and links to websites of elected officials will appear.
===================================================================================================================
Legislative and IRTA updates, April 2022
The Illinois Legislative session was expected to adjourn on April 8th. There is a proposed teacher shortage bill that would extend the number of days a retired teacher can return to work from 120 days to 140 days.
Governor Pritzker’s budget address reduces funding to TRIP/TRAIL, but over-funds our pensions.
There are no current updates on the health insurance lawsuit.
=======================================================================================================
Legislative and IRTA updates, March 8, 2022
Legislative Chairperson Kim McKenna reported that Governor Pritzer has increased funding to all the Illinois state pension funds including an expected 6.16 billion to TRS to help reduce the unfunded pension liabilities created by past funding shortages. IRTA has also filed a lawsuit seeking to correct an unconstitutional move by the State of Illinois which dramatically reduced contributions made to the TRS Health Insurance Security Fund.
======================================================================================================
Legislative and IRTA updates May 2021:
- The Governor has called for full funding of the TRS and TRIP/TRAIL.
IRTA is working with the Governor’s office to correct a disagreement with CMS over legislation that was previously passed to refund to an annuitant any overpayment of TRIP/TRAIL insurance premiums. - IRTA is working with IEA and IFT to update current language in retirees return to work because of teacher shortages. (currently 120 days allowed)
- IRTA leased the third floor of the office building to Illinois Network for Independent Living($35,721 annually) IRTAF will provide $73000 of $90000 to remodel which will be paid back by INCIL
- Vision and dental plans are up for renewal. The vision plan will remain the same. Dental plans will be Ameritas. Out of network costs drops from 80% to 70% and major insurance drops from 50 – 40%. In-network coinsurance remains the same 100/80/50. Implant coverage has been added to the plan.
- AMBA will market the new plan in May or June. The new plan has lower maximum coverage but includes dental implants.
- IRTA hired a firm to assess leadership structure
======================================================================================================================
Legislative Update February 2021
The Illinois House and Senate are scheduled to meet one day in February to establish guidelines for committee work and meetings to continue to be done remotely.
Governor Pritzker’s State of the State address is scheduled for February 17th.
====================================================================================================================
Legislative Update September 2020
The fall election will soon be here. The Illinois Retired Teachers Political Action Committee has made its legislative endorsements. The IRTA PAC endorses legislative candidates based on their views or past voting record on retirement benefits. In order to receive an endorsement a candidate must submit answers to a questionnaire to the political action committee. If a candidate does not return the questionnaire, that automatically excludes the candidate from an endorsement.
In the 90th District Illinois Representative race between Representative Tom Demmer and Seth Wiggins, the IRTA PAC endorsed Seth Wiggins. (Representative Demmer did not return the questionnaire)
For the Illinois General Assembly 89th District, no candidate was endorsed. (Representative Andrew Chesney is running unopposed. (Representative Chesney did not return the questionnaire.)
The Illinois Senate District 45, Senator Brian Stewart’s, term is not up for election this year.
The following questions were on the survey:
Do you oppose amending the Constitution to eliminate or modify the Illinois Constitution Clause that states a pension is an “enforceable contractual relationship, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired?
Do you oppose any legislative changes to current tax code that would allow for the taxation of retirement income?
Do you oppose any efforts to reduce current health insurance benefits or access to those benefits for retired teachers?
Do you support the state’s appropriation to Teachers Retirement Insurance Program?
Do you support maintaining State of Illinois funding for the Teacher’s Retirement System at the amounts required by PA 90-528(A 1995 law stating TRS will be 90% funded by 2045)
Seth Wiggins responded “yes” to all of the above questions. 100% in support of teacher retirement benefits.
The Ogle-Lee RTA Legislative Forum scheduled for the October 2020 Fall Membership Luncheon Meeting was cancelled due to Covid guidelines.
As you know, the Illinois Allow for Graduated Income Tax Amendment is on the ballot in Illinois on November 3, 2020. IRTA is not taking a position on the amendment. In early August, IRTA did send an informational email to it’s members about the graduated income tax. If you did not receive the email, please contact me, and I would be happy to forward it to you. The outcome of the Constitutional Amendment does not affect your retirement income.
The Teacher’s Retirement System of the state of Illinois is the 37th largest pension system in the United States. The system serves over 400,00 members and even in these times of a struggling economy has assets of over 50 billion dollars.(June 2020) Your membership in the Ogle-Lee Teacher’s Retirement Association and the Illinois Retired Teacher’s Association, helps insure that the system works to protect our pension and insurance benefits.
====================================================================================================================
Legislative Update April 27, 2020
The Illinois Legislature is not in session. By the authority granted in the Emergency Powers Act, Governor Pritzker is managing the state. The Governor’s focus has been on dealing with the healthcare crisis.
IRTA has been in communication with the Teacher’s Retirement System. Although the TRS offices are currently closed, the updated information and computer systems allow for the continued payment of benefits and the ability to offer basic services. Central Management System (CMS) is also offering basic services dealing with the TRIP and TRAIL insurance programs although service delays may occur.
IRTA feels that the State, TRS, and TRIP/TRAIL are operating as good as can be expected during these uncertain times. It is unknown how the COVID-19 budget demands will impact the long term economics of the State’s budget. IRTA will remain vigilant in their involvement in protecting our pensions, and in keeping members informed of any future actions.
====================================================================================================================
Legislative Update Reports
Respectfully submitted
Kim McKenna
Ogle-Lee RTA President and Legislative Chairperson