Check out the latest updates in Springfield. Click on Pension/Legislative News above.
February 11, 2026
*********************************************************************************
February 11, 2026
*********************************************************************************
Put these dates on your calendar to attend the WCRTA scheduled membership meetings & events!
Date/Time Location Program
3/19/26 11:30 Lunch Thunderbay Grille General Meeting - Van Galder
Rockford, IL Trips & Travel Book signing by
Lynn & Bryn Gibson (2nd book)
****************************************************************************************************************************************************
5/7/26 11:30 Lunch The Machine Shed General Meeting - Cat Valdez Doyle
Rockford, IL from Go Rockford/La Onda
************************************************************************************************************
6/4/26 Arrive 11:30 am Mauh-Nah-Tee-See New Retiree Celebration
Plated Lunch Country Club, Rockford Scholarship Presentation,
AMBA Presentation
************************************************************************************************************
6/5/26 Fireside Theater "Million Dollar Quartet"
Arrive 10-10:15 am Ft. Atkinson, WI Lunch & play included
************************************************************************************************************
7/14/26 Depart from Baraboo, WI and International Crane Foundation
Roscoe Middle School via Wisconsin Dells Reserved Tour - Buffalo Phil's for
bus 7:45 am lunch - Outlets at the Dells
************************************************************************************************************
8/12/26 11:30 am 4644 Spring Creek Rd Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent
Rockford, IL House Group Tour & Box lunch
************************************************************************************************************
11/19/26 11:30 am The Mill Saloon To be announced
9032 N Second Street
Machesney Park, IL
************************************************************************************************************
12/10/26 3:00 pm The Parks - Cimino's Kitchen Holiday Party for entire
Machesney Park, IL membership
***********************************************************************************************************
Forty four members enjoyed an excellent presentation about Eleanor Roosevelt, First lady of World War II on November 18th at the Machine Shed. In August,1943 , Eleanor traveled to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands to help reinvigorate the home front and revive the sense of national unity that was missing since Pearl Harbor. Eleanor was almost sixty year old, and the trip took 5 exhausting weeks. She was deeply affected by the suffering that she witnessed. Eleanor made contact with an estimated 400,000 soldiers during her trip and brought untold joy to each soldier she met. If you could not attend, you missed a wonderful presentation by Brad Keyes, chair of the CLR Speakers Bureau.
*********************************************************************************
Memoriam: The names of teachers that have passed during the last year was read. To access this list, click on Unit Info above and click on Memoriam List October 2025. WCRTA Members Memoriam can also be accessed under Unit Info.
*************************************************************
*************************************************************
The Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association was represented by past state president Dave Davison, unit honoree Sharon Vinson, Jo Sullons, Barb Dilling and Betty Davison.
|
Sharon Vinson was the Winnebago County Honoree. She has served on the Winnebago Retired Teachers Board for 23 years, including as newsletter editor and , since 2022, as treasurer. She has handled finances, scholarships, and endowments with dedication and a wonderful spirit. Sharon's hard work and commitment are appreciated.
|
Roger Hampton was elected as President of IRTA for 2026-2027. Roger has previously served as the IRTA president.
*********************************************************************************
Scam Alert Regarding Dues
Several members have received an email supposedly from the Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association requesting that you pay your dues of $10. NO ONE from our Board sent this email. The annual dues have been $15 since 1/1/24. DO NOT click on the buttons in this email or pay WCRTA dues online. This is a scam, and it happened last year as well. We do not accept payments online, and we do not know how someone was able to get a copy of our membership list.
HOW CAN I RENEW OR JOIN THE WINNEBAGO COUNTY RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (WCRTA)?
Local Annual membership for 2026 is $15.OR - Life membership is $125! (And you will not have to pay annually ever again!!!! Remember, we don’t have cash apps and don’t accept online payments. Checks or cash are the ONLY form of dues payment. It is easy to join by completing the following form and mailing it along with your dues check. Please make the $15 check payable to WCRTA, and mail it to our treasurer, Sharon Vinson, 11966 Tresemer Rd., Roscoe, IL 61073. Questions? Contact Sharon at 815-543-5644 or [email protected].
MEMBERSHIP FORM
Last name: _________________ First name: ________________
Street Address: ____________________________________________ Apt. #_____
City: _______________ State: ____Zip Code: (+4) ___________
Email: ______________________________________________
Preferred Phone #: _________________
School District retired from: __________________ Year Retired: _____
2026 (ONLY $15) ___Local Life: ($125 for life) ___ (Indicate by “X)
How can I join the Illinois Retired Teachers Association (IRTA)?
Go to the IRTA link online: irtaonline.org
Thank you, and feel free to contact me should you have any questions! If you are not going to renew your membership, please contact me to let me know why, so we can make improvements! The WCRTA Board would appreciate your comments and suggestions!
Gayle Haab Contact: (Cell) 815-742-1331 (Email) [email protected]
President, WCRTA
IRTA Board of Directors
IRTA Region 1 Director