Police deserve pension benefits

I am one of the future "do nothing" pensioners that you refer to (Our View, April 2) as I am a police officer with 19 years of service to my municipality.

The state of Illinois does not fully subsidize the police and firefighter pension system as you state.

Public sector employees currently contribute almost 10 percent of their monthly income to their respective funds and the municipalities contribute an equal amount. This money is invested into funds to which the pension benefactors are paid from.

Your article implies the state pays and is obligated to pay all of the benefits, which is incorrect. By law, municipalities are required to maintain their portion of the investment, not the entire amount.

It also fails to mention that state employees, specifically the state police, have the sweetest benefits of all public sector employees with receiving 80 percent of their salary after 26 years of service, with free health insurance.

Yet, your article claims the state and its municipalities are suffering due to our funding. It's amazing how the state can be suffering with its own generous plan to the troopers.

You imply public employees should not be entitled to any increase in pensions as they are already getting paid "for doing nothing."

Let me enlighten you about what police officers and firefighters endure during their career s so we become eligible to receive a pension.

In my 22 overall years, I have missed countless holidays with my children and my family, not to mention other obligations. The wear and tear on my body that was endured by rotating shifts and rotating days off throughout the years statistically say that my life span will be shortened by several years compared to the average nine-to-five worker.

I have been punched and sent to the hospital, kicked, spit at, hit twice in my squad car while on traffic stops and myself nearly hit on other occasions. I have dealt with death, abuse, neglect and constant criticism of the courts as well as the public.

My fellow officers and I do this not to become rich during our careers or rich during our retirement years as you suggest. We do our jobs to protect you, your family and your property.

So forgive us if we wish to keep our pensions intact and do "nothing" as you suggest during our retirement years. We've earned it.

Steven Anderson

Hoffman Estates