Alternative solution on pensions needed

The pension reform bill recently debated was aimed at the wrong target. Illinois public employees make a commitment to their communities and their professions when they contribute to their pensions. They commit to lower salaries than would be available to them in the private sector and sacrifice their Social Security benefits. Beyond that, they commit to sticking with their profession, no matter what better opportunity may present itself. Unlike private sector employees, most public employees cannot take their pension benefit from employer to employer following the market trends of the most lucrative industries.

The average public pension is $32,000 per year — less than a third of even the smallest of those widely reported in the media. While unions have been under attack for protecting extravagant pensions of public employees, the news media report on executive employees, like Mohsin Dada, not union members, who have taken advantage of the public trust cutting personnel and services to fill their own pockets. The recent Senate proposal would punish the workers who have done everything right and do nothing to the workers or the decision makers that have crippled the pension funds.

While it is clear that pension reform is needed, Senate Bill 512 is not the answer. Legislators must get everyone to the table to find agreement.

Chad Kurka

President

Palatine Firefighters Local 4588