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Upcoming Events:
Thursday, November 21st -
 WCRTA General Meeting at Mary's Market, 4866 Bluestem Rd., Roscoe, IL
Registration at 11:30 AM - Buffet Luncheon
​Details and RSVP will be in the next newsletter.
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​Meet six of  our newest Blanche Martin Scholarship Winners!
What an exceptional group of future educators.  Pictured left to right:  Cameron Holt, Jada Cooper, Diana Sanchez Arrieta, Brianna Tresemer and Chloe Baxter.  Not pictured: Sofia Dunn and Summer Pope Joy.

Click below for George Whinna's pictures from our luncheon.
georgewalt.smugmug.com/WCRTA-SCHOLARSHIP-LUNCHEON-ON-JU-1

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​New Toll-free Phone Number and Email Address Effective

Teachers' Retirement System has a new toll-free telephone number and Member Services email address.
These changes, effective immediately, were implemented to improve service and reduce technology costs in the administration of the System.  
New Telephone Number Member Services toll-free number: 877-927-5877 (877-9-ASK-TRS)
New Email Address   members@trsil.org
TRS has launched a newly redesigned website that will feature easier navigation and enhanced services for members. 

New: http://www.trsil.org
Sincerely, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois 

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Check out our Winnebago County board members as featured on Illinois Retired Teachers Association on Facebook.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUZRgjo4AlM&feature=youtu.be
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United Health Care 
Prescription "Donut Hole" notice!
  8Click on TRIP above

**************************************      TRS encourages all of its members to establish Member Account Access on the TRS website. 
Directions can be found under "Latest pension news" above:  December 4th posting
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New Feature:  Newsletter

To access the most recent WCRTA Newsletter, cursor over to Unit Info above and scroll down to Newsletter
and click.    

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Why you need a TRS Online Account and how to set one up

It looks like that if we have our retirement benefit check electronically deposited, we are no longer going to receive a paper statement from the State Comptroller telling any changes in our retirement benefits. We will have to look it up on our TRS Online Account or just compare the amounts that were deposited in our checking accounts. The following tells us how to set up a TRS Online Account if you don’t already have one. There is a phone number below to call if you have lost the ID number that was sent not long ago. That ID number is needed to set up the account.

There is other information in that TRS Online Account that you may find interesting. For example, I looked to see who I had set up as beneficiaries back in 1993 when I first retired or if I had even named any. I could not remember what I did all that long ago.

Dave Davison


    Click on Latest Pension News for directions on how to set up a TRS Account

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Co-President Fred Kunz . 

                     1937-2019

​He taught for 47 years in Peoria and Rockford 205.

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​TRS Position on Pension Funding
Click on Pension/Legislative News above
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July 18, 2019 Trip to Chicago
Click on this link to see what you missed:
​photos.app.goo.gl/28mh5xj839tXUGyr6

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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 meet at the Regional Office of Education in Loves Park on the third Thursday of January, March, May and October, starting at 1:00 p.m.  We welcome new Board Members who will bring fresh ideas to the planning table! 

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​We need your help to continue to keep our pensions safe!

Current Members and IRTAPAC Members, 
Please forward this message to a friend! 

Renew Today and Join IRTAPAC!
WATCH THE VIDEO - MESSAGE FROM ED WOLLET:  Click here and then click on the link.

HELLO.  MY NAME IS ED WOLLET.  I AM AN IRTA MEMBER AND RETIRED TEACHER.  I SERVE AS THE IRTA LEGISLATIVE and POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE CHAIRS.
 
WELL, THE ELECTIONS ARE BEHIND US BUT THE POLITICAL SEASON BEGINS.
 
FIRST, LET US TAKE LOOK AT THE STATE-WIDE ELECTION RESULTS.  YOUR IRTAPAC COMMITTEE ENDORSED 44 CANDIDATES FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.  34 OF THOSE ENDORSED CANDIDATES WON. 
 
THE OUTCOME IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TILTED SLIGHTLY IN FAVOR OF THE REPUBLICANS.  THE REPUBLICANS PICKED UP A NET OF FOUR SEATS IN THE HOUSE AND TWO SEATS IN THE SENATE.  BOTH CHAMBERS REMAIN IN DEMOCRAT CONTROL. THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS LOSES ITS SUPERMAJORITY BUT STILL HAS A 67-51 MARGIN. THE SENATE DEMOCRATS HELD ON TO ITS SUPERMAJORITY CONTROLLING 37 SEATS TO THE REPUBLICANS 22 SEATS. 
 
THIS WEEK THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEGAN THE FALL VETO SESSION.  THE GOVERNOR ISSUED EITHER A TOTAL VETO OR AMENDATORY VETO ON 41 BILLS. THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS MET ON TUESDAY TO DISCUSS THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE REMAININDER OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
 
IRTA AND IRTAPAC REMAIN COMMITTED TO PROTECTING YOUR PENSION AND HEALTHCARE BENEFITS.  IRTA STAFF AND LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH LEGISLATORS TO OPPOSE ANY LEGISLATION THAT WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT THOSE BENEFITS.  AND THERE'S A WAY YOU CAN HELP US.  FIRST, MAKE SURE YOUR IRTA MEMBERSHIP IS UP TO DATE.  ANNUAL MEMBERS SHOULD RENEW NOW AS MEMBERSHIPS EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR. CLICK HERE TO RENEW.  AND FINALLY, CLICK HERETO JOIN WITH YOUR FELLOW IRTA MEMBERS IN THE ONE DOLLAR PER MONTH IRTAPAC FUND.  ENROLLING IS EASY AND WILL HELP ALL OF US AS RETIREES MAINTAIN OUR PENSIONS AND HEALTH INSURANCE.
 
THANK YOU.

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