Three‐fifths vote now needed to pass legislation

36 votes in the Senate (37 Democrats – 22 Republicans) 71 votes in the House (70 Democrats – 48 Republicans)

Session ended sometime towards midnight on May 31^st, but not much was accomplished. The Four Leaders stayed in Springfield, while all the rest went home. Governor Quinn indicated that he will be meeting during the month of June with Legislative Leaders. Throughout the summer the legislators will be called back to Springfield to discuss the budget and other controversial issues – income tax hike ‐#1 on list!

HJR 65 turned out to be the lucky number for SUAA. On Friday, Representative McCarthy introduced

this resolution to create a Pension System Modernization Task Force to recommend pension benefit

changes to modernize all state pensions. There will be 19 members total: “two legislative members appointed by the Speaker of the House; two legislative members appointed by

the President of the Senate; two legislative members appointed by the House Minority

Leader; two legislative members appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; two members who are statewide education labor union representatives; two members who are statewide labor union representatives that do not represent an education labor union; four members appointed by the Governor who represent statewide business organizations, including, but not limited to, the organizations representing local chambers of commerce, manufacturers, retail merchants, and independent businesses; and one member appointed by the Governor who shall act as chair . . .” then the amendment adds “two members, one each from two different statewide organization representing the annuitants also appointed by the Governor.”

The Task Force is to analyze the public policy implications of changing pension benefits on the State of Illinois’ ability to attract and retain public employees, teachers, and university professionals; analyze the level of the current pension benefit structure in Illinois as it compares to other states in the geographical region and to other states that have systems that are not coordinated with Social Security; analyze the level of benefit programs currently being offered in the private sector of our State; analyze the long‐term costs our current systems, including the expected increase in benefit payments, the effects of continued underperformance in the funds’ investment portfolio, and the effects of increasing life expectancies on our State‐funded systems; and, analyze which pension benefits in Illinois should be modernized.

Meetings will be held at least once a month between June and October of 2009. A report is due to the General Assembly on or before November 1, 2009.

As a sidebar, Veto Session will be held in October. Therefore, possible changes to the pension and benefits would not be submitted to the legislature until the 97^th Legislative Session (2010). This gives time for those who would be affected by the changes to convey a strong message to the legislators.

SB1292 sponsored by Rep. Kevin McCarthy ‐while it passed out of the House Personnel and Pensions Committee this bill was only going to garner 30 votes in the House, therefore it was never called. As you might remember, this bill would have provided many changes to the pension systems. See Mini Briefing dated May 17^th for a detailed explanation.

HB2643 sponsored by Rep. Dennis Reboietti and Sen. Don Harmon would have changed the health care benefit for all pension systems members. Many public employees and retirees would have been required to pay a large percentage of their health care premiums.

In SURS there are 4 different categories of people:

Group 1‐Medicare age annuitants w/ at least 20 years of service

Group 2‐Medicare age annuitants less than 20 years of service

Group 3‐Non‐medicare age annuitants w/ at least 20 years of service

Group 4‐Non‐medicare age annuitants w/ less than 20 years of service.

Only Group 1 would not have to pay a premium.

There is more information to come. If you are receiving this Mini Briefing and are still not a member, the urgency has arrived. The public will not rest until changes are made to the state pension systems. It is imperative that SUAA be able to continue as a strong advocate for SURS pensions and benefits.

If you are a member, please encourage your peers to join. Contact your local chapter or call the State Office for more information – 217.585.2370.

The Annual Meeting will be held in Springfield on June 23 & 24. Registration forms will be sent out this week.

Ballots for the SURS Board of Trustees will be arriving in your mailbox. Take the time to vote. This is the first time SURS members have had a chance to select 4 participants and 2 annuitants to represent the members of the pension system.