Tell Governor Pritzker to Help Us Fix Tier 2

Last night, IFT Executive Vice President/Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates and I held a telephone town hall to update members around the state on the status of our fight to fix Tier 2 pensions. If you were not able to join the call, you can listen to it here.

With the legislative session scheduled to end this week, your help is urgently needed to tell Governor Pritzker to stand with us to Fix Tier 2. ACT NOW! Scan the QR code above, click here to send your message, or dial 844-217-7510 to call the governor's office.

The IFT and our partners in the We Are One Illinois coalition of unions have been fighting for years to fix Tier 2 and protect retirement security for all public employees. In January this year, we met with the governor and his staff about our desire and intent to fix this broken and unfair system during this legislative session. Since then, we've worked closely with legislators and met every fiscal requirement set by the governor's office and repeatedly requested his feedback. Last week, we brought our amended proposal to the governor's office, which was formally introduced yesterday in the form of Senate Bill 1937. It is fiscally responsible, strengthens the pension system, adds nothing to Illinois' unfunded liability, and protects the state's credit rating.

At the same time, SB 1937 makes critical improvements to Tier 2. It would enhance the final average salary calculation, lower the retirement age, enhance the cost-of-living adjustment, and increase the Social Security wage base to fix the "Safe Harbor" problem.

This is our moment. We must tell Governor Pritzker that we won't back down.

Email or call 844-217-7510 and demand that he stand with us. It's going to take all of our voices to win this important fight. 

The dedicated individuals who provide critical public services to Illinoisans every day deserve a fix to Tier 2. Please contact Governor Pritzker now. Thank you.

In Solidarity,

Dan Montgomery | IFT President