Opinion

Pension system must be fair to taxpayers

Posted June 10, 2013 5:00 am

Really? A retired teacher, Beverly Lopatka, will receive nearly $400,000 in 2013? And the state of Illinois has no money, is unable to pay its bills, is in tremendous debt, and we taxpayers are expected to come up with the money to help them. How could a retired teacher be receiving money from three different state retirement funds? That is ludicrous.

It is discouraging for people to read this when they are struggling. Some retired citizens can barely pay their property taxes, even if their homes are paid for. And quite possibly they will not be receiving a pension.

This is not intended to say that teachers should not receive a fair retirement package. But this is not fair to the residents of Palatine. To regain our economic health and establish fiscal responsibility, we absolutely have to stop allowing this type of thing from occurring in Illinois. Please consider all of the citizens of our state and correct these absurd irregularities in pension benefits.

Barbara Ann Kohn

Palatine

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