Double dipping has to end

I, like most of my fellow Illinois citizens, do not begrudge teachers and public employees their well-earned pensions. What I do find appalling is the large amounts afforded to administrators and union bosses, many times artificially inflated by large pay increases late in their working careers.

I certainly could be wrong, but I thought one of the societal benefits to paying pensions was to get these people out of the workforce, providing employment opportunities for our youth. Time and again I see fire chiefs and school administrators retiring “to spend more time with their families” and then suddenly taking similar positions within state and municipal government sectors. Apparently, unlike Social Security, railroad retirement and most private pensions, these individuals are allowed their overly generous pensions and a new salary (that also accrues additional pension benefits) at the same time.

This has to stop. If they want to retire, fine, but if they continue working, no paid pensions, period. No double dipping either.

We taxpayers need to demand fiscal accountability from our elected officials. Perhaps one of them could lead the charge and actually represent us.

Greg Larson

Arlington Heights