Police, firefighters don't deserve blame

Every week the Daily Herald has at least one article or letter criticizing the cost of police and fire pensions on municipalities. A reader could get the impression that police officers and firefighters are the only employees receiving pensions, and that these obligations are the only expenses causing municipal budget deficits.

Actually, almost every full-time government employee accrues pension benefits. Police and fire have separate funds, in part, because those jobs are not covered by Social Security, and they have higher injury and death rates than most others. Decades ago, pensions were not uncommon in the private sector. Corporations have slowly but surely extinguished those plans, as more money was made available for dividends and executive bonuses.

Also, no municipal official should feign shock at the cost of the plans as though it's news. Pensions have been around since the inception of most police and fire departments in Illinois. Every year, the state gathers information from the funds, and sends an actuarial report that specifies the dollar amount required to fully meet obligations. Unfortunately, some boards and councils have chosen to direct money elsewhere. When that happens, investment return doesn't accumulate while the debt remains and grows.

There are a number of causes to the current budget crises facing our local governments. Tax revenues are down and costs aren't. There's a worldwide recession that hopefully we'll emerge from soon. In the meantime, please don't blame the men and women who spent their careers protecting our lives and property.

Mike Burns

Wheeling