Those who sacrifice deserve their pensions

I have been a police officer and have contributed to my pension fund for 23 years. I have not missed a payment nor did I have a choice to not contribute or how much to contribute when I started — it was mandatory. When discussions take place about public pensions we should not forget that we have worked overnight protecting our communities when others get to sleep. We have worked holidays when others are able to be with their families. We don’t run away or think about helping others in the worst conditions; we do it because it’s our job.

I signed up knowing I would have to do all those things. I would have to sacrifice, but with that sacrifice there was a pension to look forward to. I can’t change my career now as it is ending. I can’t change the many times I missed my children’s sports games when I was working on the weekends when others were off. I can’t change that I missed school functions for my children. Therefore why is it even a consideration to change my pension now?

Just a thought: Maybe public workers, like police and fire, should consider these possible changes to our pensions before we risk our lives to help others? That’s right, we wouldn’t because it’s our job to take those risks, so why should people who don’t take those risks, everyday, decide to change our pensions?

Robert Smith

Arlington Heights