The Retired Teachers Association of Chicago

Since 1926, this Association has dedicated itself to the betterment of all teachers who have retired from the Chicago Public Schools.

The
RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
of Chicago
111 N. Wabash Ave. Suite 2010
Chicago IL 60602-2949
Phone: 312-750-1522 Fax: 312-750-1502

Louella B. Preston
President

Arlene R. Crandall,
Executive Director

News, Opinions, Resources, Archives & Forms

Legislation and Advocacy

Illinois Legislators
Senators by Name or by District
Representatives by Name or by District
Legislative District Maps Maps ('CTRL +' enlarges)
Fall meeting calendars for the House and Senate.

Workshops, Calendar of Meetings, Events, Activities and Opportunities

(Mouse over these options to see the drop down menus-more details are here.)
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Remember, RTAC is YOUR independent voice for pension protection and enhancement. We are NOT part of the Chicago Public Schools nor the Chicago Teachers Union. We work with but are NOT a part of the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund.
HELP US preserve, protect and enhance YOUR pension. Join RTAC, apply here.
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IMPORTANT NOTES:
Interested in running for a Chicago Teachers Pension Fund (CTPF) Retiree Trustee position?
See how to receive our endorsement here.
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If you were employed outside of CPS and qualified for Social Security, see this.
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RTAC is YOUR voice as an independent organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing YOUR pension.

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Read about and contribute to our 'Legal Defense Fund' here.
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To contact the Webmaster: Click here.

A history of RTAC's actions and involvement for the benefit of ALL retirees is here.

A CTPF summary of the 2022 Economic Impact of your Pension is here.

BEWARE OF THE RE-EMPLOYMENT LIMIT
If you decide to return to work within the Chicago Public School system, there are VERY STRICT limits as to how many days you may work. Going over by as little as ONE DAY can jeopardize YOUR ENTIRE PENSION.
It is YOUR responsibility to keep accurate track of the time/days you work for CPS!
For more information see this CTPF website page.

HELP RTAC HELP YOU!!!
PLEASE join our RTAC-ALERT Network. Members get the FASTEST UPDATES on pending legislation, often on the same day that events occur. Just click on RTAC-ALERT Network and give your name, e-mail address and zip code (this is to verify your RTAC membership). THE ONLY OBLIGATION IS YOUR PROMISE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH LEGISLATORS, if requested, on behalf of retired Chicago Public School teachers. The Alert Network's fast and massive responses have already earned the respect of legislators throughout the state, and constitute our first line of defense. Join NOW! Your help is urgently needed!

Know a Fellow Retiree in Financial Difficulties?
Check the Aid Fund website - crtaf.org.

Fun things are here.
(If a frog double parked, would it be toad?)
Humorous (but true??) Cartoons are here.
Check your birth year for interesting information here.
(Enter your birth year, click the question mark and then sit back and watch.)

Useful household products are here.
(Are there other uses for Preparation H?)

Defined Benefits vs. Defined Contributions
Currently we have a defined benefit retirement plan where we are guaranteed our benefits for life. If some legislators get their way, new employees will work under a defined contributions retirement plan where the benefits are based entirely on how much was contributed.
Read an analysis of Public Pensions by the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability -- here.
If you would like to see how much you would have needed to contribute to a retirement fund to enjoy your current pension, click here and enter some data. Be aware that the projected total you have in your account when you retire must last for life - i.e. if your retirement account has $1,000,000 in it when you retire and you expect to live another 20 years, you can only withdraw $50,000 per year and the balance will continue to decrease until your account is completely depleted and you have nothing left to live on.

Looking for something to do?
Check out our EVENTS page.
The EVENTS page lists events of interest to all CPS teachers, active as well as retired.
The Events page contains direct links to over 100 area entertainment venues!
You might also like to check our VOLUNTEER, JOBS and OTHER OPPORTUNITIES pages.

For information and updates from the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund, click here.
Click here to see a list of delinquent Charter Schools.

Site Map and Links

What is RTAC all about, and what good is it to you? Click on Orientation.
What CTU and RTAC events are coming up? Need more information about a Scene listing? Click on Events.
Want a listing of some of the resources available to RTAC members? Click on Resources.
How do we seek our legislative objectives? Click on Advocacy.
What are our current legislative priorities? Click on Pending Bills.
Check on Illinois Legislative activity and bills pending: Click on Legislation status - Illinois.
Check on U. S. Congressional activity and bills pending: Click on Legislation status - Federal.
Want to know more about YOUR legislators and candidates? For more information than you dreamed possible, click on Legislators.
Can’t think of anything to say to legislators? Click on Samples page for suggestions.
Looking for a paid job for a retired teacher? Looking to volunteer your time? Click on Jobs.
Is your school having a Class Reunion? Tell us about it! Click on Reunions.
Want to see what interests and/or amuses us on the web? Try Just for fun AND FOR PETE”S SAKE, if you find a good one send it to the webmaster!
Have a question for the RTAC office? To send them an e-mail, click on E-mail Office.
Want to get a copy of the Illinois Legislative flow chart, or ask a question of the Editor, or join the RTAC Alert Network, or have a suggestion about this web site? Send the an e-mail.
Homesick? Want to see what the CTU is up to now? Click on CTU.
Retired and want to keep your certificate active? See the ISBE Retired Educator's page here.
Check out what the National Education Association says about Social Security Offsets. Click on NEA. (Email your Congressman while you are there.)

Latest SITE update: May 2, 2025
Last Committee Meetings page update: October 1, 2024
Last CTPF information page update: December 18, 2020
Last Employment page update: May 2, 2025
Last Events & Activities page update: September 30, 2023
Last Forms page update: January 1, 2025
Last Home page update: May 2, 2025
Last Legislation Update page update: February 11, 2024
Last Other Opportunities page update: September 4, 2024
Last Pending Bills page update:February 11, 2024
Last Resources page update: November 23, 2022
Last Reunions page update: December 19, 2023
Last Volunteer page update: February 11, 2024
Last Workshop & Seminar page update:January 1, 2025

See our FUN page for more.

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visitors since 1/1/2010

A more detailed listing of the pages available.

News, Opinions, Resources, Archives & Forms	Legislation and Advocacy	Workshops, Events, Activities and Opportunities
News Bulletins Go Green The latest News Bulletin is available through this link as are many of the past News Bulletins. Updated 3/30/21 The Archives of past legislation, stories and posts are here.	Legislation Update & Pending Bills Illinois Federal RTAC supported legislation Find your legislators HERE (Enter your 9 digit zip, 'Find Address' then 'Confirm Address') The 2022 legislative calendars are available for both the House and Senate. Updated 1/11/22	Workshops & Seminars Updated 11/8/23 Scheduled Board & Committee Meetings (Most are open to the public but space is limited.) Updated 6/7/23 Events & Activities A schedule of Fall workshops & seminars is here. Updated 9/30/23
Opinions and Editorials supporting RTAC's position on Pension matters are here.	Become a 'Pension Fund Ambassador' (here) and print letters to your legislators about the economic impact of your pension (here).	Employment Opportunities NAEP is hiring Remote Tutors are being hired. Updated /27/24
The CTPF website is here, recent CTPF actions and information is here and the CTU website is here. Alert Network For more information about the Alert Network, click here or join the E-mail Alert Network	Find Your State and Federal Legislators here Illinois Senators by district Illinois Senators by name Illinois Representatives by district Illinois Representatives by name Updated 12/20/22 Photos of visits to legislators Updated 3/4/17	Volunteer Opportunities Updated 4/10//21 Other Volunteer Opportunities Learning Edge Tutoring Erie Neighborhood House RTAC Assistant Webmaster Updated 9/4/24
Fraud Alert/Identity Theft Updated 7/30/20 Resources Updated 11/23/22	How to Write Your Legislator + + + + + + + Sample Letters (and the addresses of media outlets) Updated 6/12/15	A list of businesses and services that provide Senior discounts. Updated 6/1/15
RTAC forms Legal Defense Donations Nomination for the Armstrong Award Bylaws and Conflict of Interest Form Updated 3/6/22	Advocacy See Photos of RTAC members meeting with their legislators and at other activities. Read a summary of the presentations at the AARP:NRTA conference in Washington D.C. Updated 3/4/17	Reunions Jesse Spalding School Morgan Park Updated 12/19/23

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