LThe97
RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
of Chicago

Legislation Update and Pending Bills
Core Legislation status.

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Latest update:8/26/23
  To find your legislators, click on this link.
STATE OF ILLINOIS LEGISLATION
(SEE BELOW - CLICK HERE - FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION)


Even though RTAC has an excellent legislative advocate,

All of Us Must Be Watchful!
(CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF THE 2022 LEGISLATION AND THE CURRENT STATUS OF THAT LEGISLATION)

PLEASE visit your legislators and express your opinion(s) on possible legislation.

Find your Illinois Legislators here.
The 2023 Illinois Legislative Calendar for the Illinois House of Representatives
will be available soon.
The 2023 Illinois Legislative Calendar for the Illinois Senate will be available soon.
For the latest status
on a particular bill, click on the bill number in the table below.
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR BREAKING NEWS ON ANY BILL(S) THAT PROPOSE PENSION CHANGES!


Be aware of the past and remember the George Santayana quote:
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."


For some history of our struggle to maintain and protect our pension, see our 'archives' page here.

2023-2024 LEGISLATION UPDATE
FINALLY - a little balance - click here to learn more.
Proposed RTAC Legislation
Proposed CTPF Legislation
  • Stabilize a viable health insurance program for CTPF annuitants.
  • Maintain the independence and fiscal integrity of CTPF.
  • Oppose any 'pension holidays' for the Chicago Public Schools.
  • Oppose legislation that adversely affests the AAI for RTAC members.
  • Continue to educate legislartors on issues of concern to RTAC members.
  • Support efforts to increase to 120 days (instead of 100 days) the amount of days of service a retirement pensioner who is remployed as a teacher may work without having his or her pension cancelled for school years beginning on or after July 1, 2019. 
  • Support legislation to reestablish the Chicago pension tax levy to support the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund.
  • Increase the State of Illinois' contributions to CTPF to at least 10% of the State's contribution to TRS.
  • Support legislation to increase the limit on the amount of funds to subsidize CTPF pensioners health care.
  •   Strengthen Charter School Reporting Mechanisms.
  • Oppose any legislation adverse or detrimental to our pensions.

For members of the 102nd (2022) Illinois Legislative Session use the following links:
Illinois Senators by district or Illinois Senators by name
Illinois Representatives by district or Illinois Representatives by name

Current legislation of particular interest:
Support

Opposed

 Monitoring

Summary of the legislation enacted during the 103rd session (2023) relative to pension.

## bills of utmost importance     # bills that have high interest
Legislation of Interest to RTAC Which Has Been Introduced During the 103nd Legislative Session (2023).
Bill
Sponsor
Status
Date of Last Action Proposed Action
Legislation which has been introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives in 2023
HB1247
Reick In Rules Committee
3/10/23
Amends the Downstate Teacher and Chicago Teacher Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that none of the benefits provided for in either Article shall be paid to a person if the person first becomes a member on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and a board, after an administrative hearing, determines that the person sexually abused a student. Provides that an employer must notify a board if a retiring member has been accused of sexually abusing a student. Provides that a board may, through an administrative hearing, review the claim of sexual abuse and may order that benefits be forfeited. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act shall not operate to impair any contract or vested right acquired before the effective date of the amendatory Act nor to preclude the right to a refund. Provides that all teachers entering service on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall be deemed to have consented to the provisions of the amendatory Act as a condition of membership. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.
HB3551
Hoffman Public Act 103-0007 6/7/23
Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Removes a repeal date for the definition of "single prime", but makes the definition inoperative on January 1, 2026 for public institutions of higher education. Removes a provision limiting applicability through December 31, 2025 of provisions related to single prime projects. Removes a provision limiting the Capital Development Board from using the single prime procurement delivery method under specified circumstances. Limits provisions relating to building construction contracts in excess of $250,000 to public institutions of higher education. Provides that, before electing to use single prime on a project, the Capital Development Board must make a written determination that must include a description as to the particular advantages of the single prime procurement method for that project and an evaluation of specified factors. Provides that the Chief Procurement Officer must review the Capital Development Board's determination and consider the adequacy the evaluation of the specified factors to determine whether the Board may proceed with single prime. Allows the Board to cure their determination if the Chief Procurement Officer finds the Board's written determination insufficient. Effective immediately.
HB3817
Gordon-Booth Public Act 103-0008 6/7/23
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Establishes the FY 2024 Budget Implementation Act. Makes changes in State programs necessary to implement the State budget for Fiscal Year 2024. Effective immediately, except that some provisions take effect on other specified dates.
HB4077
Tarver
In Rules Committee
5/10/23
Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Provides that members of the Chicago Board of Education may be compensated for their service (instead of serving without compensation).
HB4098
 Kifowit In Rules Committee
5/18/23
Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes changes to Tier 2 benefits for members or participants under the 5 State-funded retirement systems and the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund, including changes to automatic annual increases, age and service requirements for retirement, and limits on the amount of salary for annuity purposes. Establishes an accelerated pension benefit payment option for the General Assembly and Judges Articles of the Code. Makes changes to the funding formula beginning in fiscal year 2025 for the 5 State-funded retirement systems. In the 5 State-funded retirement systems, provides for a deferred retirement option plan for certain participants under which a participant may continue in active service for up to 3 years while having his or her retirement pension paid into a special account, to be distributed to the participant upon retirement. Provides that any benefit increase that results from this Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the General Obligation Bond Act. Provides that each fiscal year after certain State pension funding bonds and income tax proceed bonds are retired, the State Treasurer and the State Comptroller shall transfer $500,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Pension Unfunded Liability Reduction Fund each fiscal year, which shall be used for making additional contributions to the pension funds and retirement systems established under the General Assembly, State Employee, State Universities, Downstate Teacher, Chicago Teacher, and Judges Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Repeals provisions concerning optional benefits for certain Tier 2 members. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.





Legislation which has been introduced in the Illinois Senate in 2023
SB0250
Sims Public Act 103-0006 6/7/23
Reduces various items of appropriations to the State Comptroller for the payment of elected and appointed officers and officials of the executive and legislative branches of State government. Approves all other items of appropriations in the bill.
SB1351
 Lightford Public Act
103-0085
6/9/23
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the introduced bill with changes. Provides that teachers who are due to be evaluated in the last year before (instead of the year) they are set to retire shall be offered the opportunity to waive their evaluation and retain their ratings unless they receive a "needs improvement" or "unsatisfactory" rating. Changes certain references from "retired teacher" to "teacher". Further amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code to make corresponding changes in that Article.
SB1645
Martwick Referred to Assignments Committtee
3/31/23
Amends the Deferred Compensation Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that "eligible sponsoring entity" means a school district organized under the Chicago School District Article of the School Code; the City of Chicago as the sponsoring entity for the City of Chicago Deferred Compensation Plan; or Cook County as the sponsoring entity for the Cook County Deferred Compensation Plan. Authorizes an eligible sponsoring entity to automatically enroll employees in its deferred compensation program. Provides that the eligible sponsoring entity shall continue to be subject to specified fiduciary duty provisions under the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that an employee who is automatically enrolled in the deferred compensation program shall contribute 3% of his or her pretax gross compensation for each compensation period into his or her account. Removes language providing that the provisions authorizing local government deferred compensation plans does not limit the power or authority of any unit of local government, school district, or any institution supported in whole or in part by public funds to establish and administer any other deferred compensation plans that may be authorized by law and deemed appropriate by the officials of such subdivisions or institutions. Contains provisions concerning fiduciary duties; availability of multiple plans or programs; elections not to participate; refunds; and increases to the default contribution rate. Effective immediately.
SB1646
Martwick Sent to the Governor
6/16/23
Amends the State Universities and Downstate Teacher Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that in administering the optional deferred compensation plan, the System shall require that the deferred compensation plan recordkeeper agree that, in performing services with respect to the deferred compensation plan, the recordkeeper: (i) will not use information received as a result of providing services with respect to the deferred compensation plan or the participants in the deferred compensation plan to solicit the participants in the deferred compensation plan for the purpose of cross-selling nonplan products and services, unless in response to a request by a participant in the deferred compensation plan; and (ii) will not promote, recommend, endorse, or solicit participants in the deferred compensation plan to purchase any financial products or services outside of the deferred compensation plan. Adds similar provisions with regard to the deferred compensation plan and local government deferred compensation plans under the Deferred Compensation Article. Amends the University Employees Custodial Accounts Act. Provides that in administering a defined contribution plan to provide retirement benefits, the governing board of any public institution of higher education shall require that the plan recordkeeper agree that, in performing services with respect to the plan, the recordkeeper: (i) will not use information received as a result of providing services with respect to the plan or the plan's participants to solicit the plan's participants for the purpose of cross-selling nonplan products and services, unless in response to a request by a participant in the plan; and (ii) will not promote, recommend, endorse, or solicit participants in the plan to purchase any financial products or services outside of the plan.
SB1963
Villanueva Public Act
103-0009
6/7/23
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, and the Service Occupation Tax Act to update a cross reference. Makes changes concerning incentives for mid-range ethanol blends, gasohol, and majority blended ethanol fuel. Makes changes concerning an exemption for materials, parts, equipment, components, and furnishings incorporated into or upon an aircraft. Provides that the exemption for farm machinery and equipment also includes certain electrical power generation equipment. Makes changes concerning aviation fuel. Provides that amounts paid as taxes under those Acts shall be deemed assessed upon the date of receipt of payment. Amends the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that the tax shall not apply to gross rental receipts received from an entity that is organized and operated exclusively by an organization chartered by the United States Congress for the purpose of providing disaster relief. Amends the New Markets Development Program Act. Increases the annual cap on investments, and extends the sunset of the Act. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes changes concerning municipal tax review of public utilities. Amends the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may certify 2 additional pilot River Edge Redevelopment Zones in the City of Joliet and the City of Kankakee. Amends the Historic Preservation Tax Credit Act. Extends the sunset of the Act and provides for the authorization of additional credits. Amends the Parking Excise Tax Act. Makes changes concerning booking intermediaries. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes changes concerning withholding for investment partnerships. Makes changes to the definition of "investment partnership". Creates a credit for individuals who serve as volunteer emergency workers. Makes changes concerning distributions to retired partners or shareholders under a retirement or disability plan. Amends the Cigarette Tax Act. Makes changes concerning the distribution of moneys collected pursuant to (i) the Cigarette Tax Act, (ii) the Cigarette Use Tax Act, and (iii) the tax imposed on little cigars under the Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1995. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes changes concerning the Non-Home Rule Municipal Use Tax Act and the Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act. Effective immediately.
SB2104
Martwick Referred to Assignments Committtee 3/31/23
Amends the School Code. Provides that the school board and other employers shall make available to each active teacher who is an elected trustee of the Board of Trustees of the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago up to 22 days of paid leave of absence per year for the purpose of attending meetings of the Board of Trustees, committee meetings of the Board of Trustees, and seminars regarding issues for which the Board of Trustees is responsible. Provides that the allocation of the days of paid leave shall be at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.
SB2123
Morrison Sent to the Governor
6/7/23
Creates the Counseling Compact Act. Provides that the State of Illinois enters into the Counseling Compact. Specifies that the Compact's purpose is to facilitate interstate practice of licensed professional counselors with the goal of improving public access to professional counseling services. Sets out provisions concerning the privilege to practice, obtaining a new home state license, active duty military personnel, telehealth, adverse actions, Counseling Compact Commission, data systems, rulemaking, oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement. Contains other provisions concerning the Commission, the Compact, and the procedures governing participating in and construction of the Compact. Amends the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act. Requires the Professional Counselor Licensing and Disciplinary Board to submit a report to the General Assembly with recommendations of any statutory changes and budgetary changes needed to comply with the requirements of the Counseling Compact. Requires the Board and Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to modify, if needed, Board and Department rules to comply with the requirements of the Counseling Compact. Provides that the changes to the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act are effective immediately.
SB2366
Martwick Referred to Assignments Committtee 3/31/23
Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a service retirement pensioner employed under a provision concerning subject shortage areas shall have deducted from the service retirement pensioner's salary an amount equal to 9% of that salary, which shall be contributed to the Fund as a sustainability contribution. Provides that the service retirement pensioner shall not earn service credit during that re-employment, and the service retirement pension benefit shall not be recalculated. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.





****See these Archives for legislative actions prior to the 103rd Legislative Session.****
    ## bills of utmost importance     # bills that have high interest

Voice your opinion!!  Personal visits to the office, letters, e-mails are much more effective than phone calls.



FEDERAL LEGISLATION
(1/1/23)
Support The Social Security Fairness initiative.
Details here. 
Encourage your federal legislators to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) that penalize us for receiving a public pension even though we have paid into Social security.
For a summary of the materials presented at a AARP:NRTA conference in Washington D.C. see this page.
See also http://www.ssfairness.com/
.

STAND BY FOR FURTHER CALLS TO ACTION!

(For subject hints, see the Advocacy page.)

For direct information, use these official government links:

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