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Scholarship Winners
The WCRTA awarded $10,000 between the four remarkable BlancheMartin Scholarship recipients, which are all upperclassman majoring in Elementary Education. Chloe Baxter - continuing at Rockford University McKenzie Brown - continuing at Newman University, Wichita, KS Brianna Meyer - headed to Rockford University from Rock Valley College Sofia Dunn - classes at Rock Valley College this summer and then Rockford University ***************************************************** 2019 Pictorial Slide show..... Click below: georgewalt.smugmug.com/WCRTA-2019-video/i-RqC3Htf Thanks to George Whinna ************************************************************************ Do you know someone who is currently teaching and would like funding for a classroom project? Click on links above to access the IRTA website. Search for Excellence in Education Active Teacher Grants for more information. The Excellence in Education Active Teacher Grant application deadline has been extended until October 1, 2020. ************************************************************************* Join WCRTA and IRTA Application form and information can be found by clicking Unit Info above and cursing down to JOIN WCRTA and IRTA ***************************************************** We hope you will attend one, two or all the events that are open to general membership. If you are curious about what happens at our Board meetings, or you would like to join the Board, feel free to attend one of the Board Meetings. We will meet at the Regional Office of Education in Loves Park on March 19th and May 7th starting at 1:00 p.m. We welcome new Board Members who will bring fresh ideas to the planning table!
************************************************************ Thank you for your Membership! Not a member? Join Right Now. HI, I’M MIKE SCHMIDT THE IRTA MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR, AND I’D LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT TODAY IS FEBRUARY FIRST AND ALL OF US RETIREES KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. YES, IT’S JUST NINE DAYS TO THE 56th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST BEATLES APPEARANCE ON THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW! OH, NO, NO, NO, I MEAN TODAY IS THE DAY THAT IF WE ARE AT LEAST 62 YEARS OLD, THIS YEAR’S PENSION PAYMENT INCREASES BY A COMPOUNDED 3%. HOPEFULLY YOUR 3% INCREASE WILL MAKE 2020 THAT MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE THAN 2019 WAS. BUT JUST REMEMBER THAT WE WOULDN’T HAVE THAT INCREASE IN OUR BANK ACCOUNTS IF THE IRTA’S INSTITUTED LAWSUIT, HEATON VS. QUINN, HADN’T SUCCEEDED. YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN OUR ASSOCIATION MADE THAT SUCCESS POSSIBLE, SO PLEASE SHARE THE VALUE OF THE IRTA WITH YOUR RETIRED COLLEAGUES WHO AREN’T YET MEMBERS. ASK THEM TO JOIN THE ONLY STATE-WIDE ORGANIZATION THAT IS DEDICATED SOLELY TO PROTECTING THE BENEFITS OF RETIRED EDUCATORS. IT’S EASY TO DO IF YOU JUST DIRECT THEM TO OUR WEBSITE AT IRTAONLINE.ORG. THEY’LL LOVE US - YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. |
Trail Insurance Information:
Please click on TRIP/Trail Information above. *************************************** IRTA October 28, 2020 Yesterday, October 27th, TRS held its first stakeholder meeting in several years. The web meeting had several presentations by the TRS staff and Chairman Devon Bruce opened the meeting. The following is a summary of the staffs’ presentations: • TRS staff shifted to remote work in March. • TRS staff transition back to the office in July. A maximum of 50% of the staff is physically at the office daily. • May 3, 2021, there will be an election for two teacher trustees & one annuitant. • Candidate nominations require 500 valid handwritten or electronic signatures. • Electronic signatures are a new option available due to COVID – 19. • The pandemic magnified already volatile stock markets globally. • TRS took a defensive posture designed to protect assets within difficult market environments. • TRS’s goal is to maximize expected return with a prudent level of risk. • Fiscal Year 2020 membership – 163,115 active members (Tier 1 – 112,004; Tier 2 – 51,111). • There are 125,927 annuitants/beneficiaries. • The oldest retiree is 109 years old. • The oldest active teacher is 81 years old. • The average monthly benefit for recipients is $5,027. • Assets as of June 30, 2020 are $54.9 billion. • Funded ratio 40.5%. The IRTA will be sending a link to our members Monday, November 2nd to sign the IRTA endorsed TRS Annuitant candidate, Larry Pfeiffer’s petition. Stay Safe, Jim Bachman, IRTA Executive Director **************************************** Message from IRTA President John Flaherty Click on Pension/Legislative News Above **************************************** To contact the Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association: Click Contact form under Unit Info above. ***************************************** TRS Position on Pension Funding Click on Pension/Legislative News above **************************************************** We need your help to continue to keep our pensions safe! Illinois Retired Teachers Association Political Action Committee $1/month Enrollment Illinois Retired Teachers Association Political Action Committee is a statewide, nonpartisan Political Action Committee (PAC) organized by members of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association to benefit the entire retired educator community through political contributions to state candidates. To donate using your credit card, go to the LINKS above and click on IRTA. Cursor down to Political Action Committee. On the right, click on the DONATE button. You can donate using your credit card or fill out the $1 per month TRS deduction form. You can also send a check to Illinois Retired Teachers Association PAC, 828 S. Second St., 4th Floor, Springfield, IL 62704. *************************************************** |
