Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association
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June 1, 2025

IRTA Urges Government Pritzker to Fix Tier 2!
As of the writing of this report (May 30), legislators are in the final stretch of the spring 2025
legislative session. Many legislative items need to be wrapped up before adjournment, including
funding and restructuring for mass transit, an energy package, and the FY 26 State Budget.
Additionally, negotiations for Tier 2 pension benefit enhancements are ongoing. Governor Pritzker
plays a crucial role in moving legislation forward that is aimed at fixing Tier 2.
IRTA strongly supports increasing Tier 2 benefits so that, in addition to meeting the minimum
requirements by federal law, the benefits will offer true retirement security for Tier 2 members.
SB 1937, as amended, makes real progress toward ensuring Tier 2 members can receive true
retirement security while also strengthening the state’s long-term finances. Governor Pritzker has
emphasized the importance of ensuring that any legislative changes to Tier 2 strengthen the financial
standing of both our pension systems and the state as a whole.
SB 1937, as amended, satisfies the governor’s fiscal requirements to fix Tier 2 pensions and
addresses the following Tier 2 shortcomings:
Improves the final average salary calculation
Lowers the retirement age
Improves the cost-of-living adjustment
Increases the Social Security Wage base to address the “Safe Harbor” concerns
In short, SB 1937 aims to put Illinois on a path to improving the inadequate and insufficient Tier 2
pensions for active schoolteachers while also addressing our state’s decades-long pension funding
problems. However, Governor Pritzker has not committed his support of SB 1937. IRTA needs you to
contact Governor Pritzker and ask him to support SB 1937 and make significant improvements
to Tier 2 pensions.
The time is NOW to Fix Tier 2.
IRTA Members: Please ACT NOW to ask Governor Pritzker to Fix Tier 2!

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