Springfield, IL In light of a Chicago Tribune Watchdog probe of union leaders reaping millions in monetary benefits from a loophole in the states pension law, State Representative Michael Connelly (R-Naperville) has co-sponsored House Bill 3813 aimed at reforming public pensions in the state of Illinois which passed the Illinois House of Representatives on Oct. 27.
The states pension problems stem from a law passed in 1991 that bases the city pensions on the labor leaders union salaries as opposed to the lower salaries they had as city employees.
A Tribune/WGN-TV investigation unveiled 23 retired union officials from Chicago which will collect about $56 million from two city pension funds. The Tribune probe also found two Illinois Federation of Teachers lobbyists who served as a substitute teacher for a day that were allowed to receive a near $108,000 public pension, more than double the salary of the average Illinois Teacher.
The bill would amend Illinois and Chicago pension systems. The legislation states that for certain leaves of absence during which a participant is employed by a labor organization, contributions (pay) will be based upon the participants regular salary rather than the salary received from the organization.
Pension reform has been a necessity for the state and this bill will now stop those who were abusing the system, Rep. Connelly said. The taxpayers deserve and demand an end to these abuses.
HB 3813 passed the Illinois House of Representatives and will now go before the Senate for consideration.