Pension series lacked balance

Although it is an issue that needs to be discussed, as a retired teacher I am dismayed at your headlines this week that lead the public to believe that all Illinois teachers have better pensions than other people.

Your focus has been on the top end, but there are plenty of us at the bottom. I, too, am appalled at former administrators and department heads that get retirement pension amounts that are two to three times higher than I ever made while I was working full time. Caps do need to be put in place.

But the main reason this state is in such a mess is because for years and years and years our legislators have not been funding their retirement system obligations. They have continually robbed the pension funds to pay for other things.

For every story about an administrator with a $200,000 pension, you can find a story about an average teacher at the opposite end of the scale. Many of us spent time raising families and receive no more than your couple, Jim and Madge Pierce, featured on the front page of Tuesday's paper. It is hurtful to make the majority of retired teachers look like we are living the life of luxury. Most of us are far from it.

You've printed a list of educators with the top pensions for this area. Now balance that out with a list of the lowest pension earners.

Allynn Kairis

South Elgin