Lawmakers should reject pensions

A recent publication from the Illinois Policy Institute claims that the Illinois General Assembly Retirement System, or GARS, contains only 14.8 percent of its needed funds and requires a taxpayer bailout each year, making it the state's worst-funded pension fund. As of November 2018, 58 former state lawmakers were collecting yearly pension payouts over $100,000. On average, these former lawmakers have collected nearly $1.5 million in total pension benefits while averaging only $126,300 in total retirement contributions.

This report contained the names of all current state lawmakers who are not enrolled in GARS. As a resident of northwest Lake County I was very pleased to see that our new state representative, Tom Weber, refused to take a pension. With the state of Illinois on the verge of bankruptcy, I personally thank Mr. Weber for this gracious decision.

Sheri Jesiel, who represented the rest of northern Lake County for six years, also refused a state pension, but she lost her seat as state representative in the last election. Her successor, Joyce Mason, apparently is going to take a legislative pension. I cannot understand how Rep.Mason can completely ignore the financial situation of the state of Illinois. Shame on her.

Mason also voted for Mike Madigan to remain as speaker of the House. She must know that Madigan covered up several serious cases of sexual harassment in the last few years. She completely disrespects the #MeToo movement by supporting Madigan. It appears the "Indivisible Lindenhurst Blue Wave" the group that sponsored her, is full of "red ink" and disrespect for women.

Bill Burns

Lake Villa