Pension fines only hurt taxpayers

Perhaps I’ve read the story incorrectly. The state Teachers’ Retirement System fined Schaumburg’s District 54 for feathering the nest egg of an assistant superintendent. District 54 is back suing the state for fines they levied for exceeding state guidelines.

While the issue is still in doubt, this is what I make of it. All the money for this debacle is coming out of the taxpayers’ pocket — the $81,000 in raises, the $97,000 pension penalties, and the as-yet-unbilled legal fees and court costs.

The only thing that has not happened to the parties responsible is a penalty that might dissuade a repeat of the misfeasance/malfeasance. Fining them in taxpayers’ dollars doesn’t hurt them a bit.

Former Sen. Jeff Schoenberg I think stated a predominant opinion, that “someone else should pay the bill.”

It never seems to dawn on anyone that when they pass a bill onto any higher government body it ultimately costs much more.

Gerald Gagnon

Lake Zurich