Next Annual Meeting: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Larry Pfeiffer retires from TRS Board- in IRTA MESSAGE
Interview with IRTA Treasurer- in IRTA MESSAGE
UPDATE: Social Security Fairness Act proposal can effect receiving survivors benefits - in IRTA MESSAGE
Fall IRTAPAC Election endorsements MCRTA/IRTA REPORTS
THIS SITE HAS BEEN UPDATED - 9/26/2024
How to Login to your TRS account in IRTA MESSAGE
About Us
IRTA MESSAGE
IRTA announces retirement of Larry Pfeiffer from TRS Board
August 1, 2024
IRTA President
June 1, 2024
Join Us for the 2024 IRTA Virtual Area Conferences! (June and July)
We are excited to invite you to the 2024 IRTA Virtual Area Conferences, a series of fully online events designed to foster learning and engagement among all IRTA members. These conferences provide an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge, stay informed on key issues, and connect with fellow members in a convenient virtual setting. Each conference features an exciting lineup of speakers and a comprehensive agenda.
Presentations include Mike Schmidt, IRTA President & Foundation Chair, on IRTA and the IRTA Foundation; Jessica Hoselton, IRTA Executive Director, and Andrew Bodewes, Contract Lobbyist, on legislative updates; Sharon Teefey, IRTAPAC Committee Chair, on IRTAPAC; Larry Pfeiffer and Doug Strand, TRS Annuitant Trustees, with a TRS update; Bob Kaplan, Leadership Development Chair, leading a leadership development roundtable with IRTA officers; Larry Newman, AMBA Territory Distribution Leader (Midwest), on IRTA member benefits; and a presentation on IL Department on Aging community programs. The event will also include small table networking, closing remarks, and breakout rooms for area presidents’ meetings and AMBA member benefits.
To ensure a smooth experience, we encourage you to log in early to test your connection, and for the best interaction, please join using a computer or laptop. Our dedicated association staff will be available one hour before each meeting to assist with any technical issues. These virtual conferences are designed to provide timely and important information beneficial to all IRTA members. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay connected with your community and gain valuable insights. We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 IRTA Virtual Area Conferences! A special thank you to our IRTA Area Representatives for hosting these virtual events and ensuring their success. Mark your calendars for these dates and pre-register using the links provided (all meetings are central time):
Jo Anne Nelson, Area 1 Rep. June 13th, 2024: Area 1 Virtual Conference, 9:30 a.m. https://ambabenefits.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eSBg6mkfQRePN07-fN4u-w
Wendy Wiegers, Area 2 Rep. June 20th, 2024: Area 2 Virtual Conference, 9:30 a.m. https://ambabenefits.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b1xs9woLQGWzXPo65-WCow
Marjorie Sucansky, Area 3 Rep. June 27th, 2024: Area 3 Virtual Conference, 9:30 a.m. https://ambabenefits.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uc57mYfORgqVhiLR0SsmyQ
Jim Barr, Area 5 Rep. July 10th, 2024: Area 5 Virtual Conference, 9:30 a.m. https://ambabenefits.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ghrscpc2SrWDvn7yFh6gOQ
Deloris Turner, Area 4 Rep. July 17th, 2024: Area 4 Virtual Conference, 9:30 a.m.
Area 4 Virtual Conference Agenda
- Pledge of Allegiance, Opening Remarks & Introductions: Deloris Turner, Area 4 Representative
- IRTA & IRTA Foundation: Mike Schmidt, President & Foundation Chair
- IRTA Legislative Update: IRTA Government Affairs Team, Jessica Hoselton & Andrew Bodewes
- IRTAPAC Fundraising Effort & Endorsement Process: IRTAPAC Committee Chair, Sharon Teefey
- TRS Update: TRS Annuitant Trustees, Larry Pfeiffer & Doug Strand
- IRTA Leadership Development Round Table Discussion with IRTA Officers & Bob Kaplan, Leadership Development Committee Chair
- IRTA Member Benefits: Larry Newman, AMBA Territory Distribution Leader (Midwest)
- IL Department on Aging: Community Programs, Liz Vogt, Senior Policy Advisor
https://ambabenefits.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-Td_0QV2SZ-u1eq-nOLbUg
Mary May, Area 6 Rep. July 24th, 2024: Area 6 Virtual Conference, 9:30 a.m. https://ambabenefits.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3jNIJBdvRBGwY2f98EwwLA
May 15, 2024
Q & A with IRTA Treasurer
“Ask the Treasurer” – Q & A with IRTA Treasurer, Donnie Ostrom
1. What are the primary financial goals and priorities of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association?
The financial goals of the Association are tied directly to the reasons the Association exists. The Association’s goals are protecting retired teachers’ pension and benefits. The Association’s Executive Director, lobbyist, and staff closely monitor proposed legislation that could affect association members’ pensions and benefits. The staff works with Local Units at a grassroots level to let legislators and the public know of our concerns with legislative action or inaction that affects retired teachers. The main priorities of the Association are to keep its members informed and up to date with issues and information that could affect their pension and benefits. The use of Voter Voice, Good Dog News, and informational online programs are used by the Association to keep members active and informed, and to provide input to legislators. The lobbyist for the Association provides our input directly to legislators on legislation that will benefit retirees.
2. Could you provide an overview of the Association’s financial standing?
Each year an outside audit firm reviews the Association’s finances and expenditures. The audit for 2023 reports that the Association has total financial assets of $4,014,665. This includes the Operating Fund – $2,304,918, Life Member Fund - $1,490,105, IRTAPAC Fund – $147,916, Legal Defense Fund - $71,726. IRTAPAC and Legal Defense funds are restricted to the use for which they were established. At the end of 2023, the Operating Fund had cash on hand of $779,079. This money is used to make payroll and pay for office and building expenses. The investment total was $3,131,439. These funds include Board-designated special funds and those with donor-imposed restrictions. The designated funds can only be spent for a specific purpose, i.e., Legal defense, IRTAPAC, and the Life Fund. Together these restricted funds are $1,709,747. The donor-imposed restricted funds are scholarship monies provide by individuals and restricted to be used specific areas or Units. The remainder of the investments are in the “Life Fund”. This fund was created many years ago to house the life members one-time dues payment. The “Life Fund” and resources from the “Operations Fund” make up $2,200,771. Each year all interest and 5% of the “Life Fund” is moved to the Operations fund for yearly expenses. The Association has been frugal with its expenditures. Any funds not used at the end of the fiscal year are invested to protect the Association and its ability to react when a problem or situation arises that requires its financial or legal atention.
3. How does the Association generate revenue and what are the sources of funding?
The Association has several funding sources. Its major portion of revenue comes from its members as dues income. Membership dues are collected using various categories including: • Dues Deduct Members - $3.50 is deducted each month from your TRS pension • Life Members – one-time fee of $600 • Annual Members - $46 each year (recurring) • Associate Annual Members - $35 each year (recurring, available to those not drawing a pension from TRS) • Associate Life Members – one-time fee of $200 (available to those not drawing a pension from TRS) Throughout the year, the Association receives donations from members as bequeaths or a general donation. The Association also receives funds in the form of royalties from AMBA, Amazon Prime and other sources. All investment income is reinvested back into the investments until needed by the Association.
4. What measures does the Association take to ensure transparency and accountability in its financial management?
The management of the Association is by an elected Executive Commitee from its Membership. The daily operations and management of the association is the responsibility of the Executive Director of the Association. The Board is provided monthly financial statements detailing income and expenditures. At each Board meeting the Treasurer updates the Executive Commitee and Board of Directors on the Association’s finances. As a reminder, all meetings are open and all IRTA members are welcome to atend. The “Standing Rules” of the Association spell out in detail the 1.) Accounting Controls, 2.) Fiscal Controls, and 3.) Investment procedures and processes. The guidelines expressly prescribe the management of assets, asset allocation policy and investment guidelines. The association uses COZAD Investment and the Bank of Springfield to manage investments based on the guidelines in the “Standing Rules”. A quarterly report on investments is received and reviewed by the Executive Director and the Treasurer. The Association’s Executive Director and Comptroller prepare the monthly financial statements and provides them to the Executive Commitee, Treasurer, and Finance Commitee. The “Finance Commitee” is chaired by the Treasurer and is composed of one member from each of the six areas in the State and they are not members of the Board of Directors. This Commitee reviews the budget, monthly finances, and the audit report. This information is reported to the Units in their areas. The members of the Finance Committee receive training in the accounting processes and rules used by the office for financial operations of the Association. At each biennial convention, the Treasurer reports to the members the financial position of the Association. It is at this meeting that any member may ask questions about the Association’s f inances.
5. How does the Association manage its investments and assets to ensure long-term financial stability?
The Association’s Constitution and Standing Rules state the objective of the investments are to provide for the stability and the continued growth of the “Association’s” assets. The “Standing Rules” provides which investment vehicles can be used and at what percentage the funds can be invested in that vehicle. Each investment vehicle (stocks and bonds) used by the fund is required to be safe and provide long-term financial stability. The Executive Director, Executive Commitee, Finance Commitee, along with the Treasurer, review the statements from the investment agencies. It is important to understand that the investments are allowed to accrue and are not spent unless it is necessary. In the past, funds from investments have been used to f ight lawsuits against the State of Illinois to protect retired teachers’ pension and benefits.
6. Can you provide insight into the Association’s budgeting process and how decisions are made regarding financial allocations.
The budget process begins in-house with the Executive Director and Comptroller reviewing the previous year’s budget. They develop a new budget for the next fiscal year which will include any new programs, equipment needs, personnel requests, and requests from the Executive Board and Standing Commitees. The President and Treasurer are provided a copy of the working budget by the Executive Director. The Executive Director, Comptroller, and Treasurer meet in Springfield and review the budget and make any necessary changes. Included in the changes are requests from Standing Committees of the Association: Leadership Development, Legislative, Finance, Membership, and Members Benefits. The Finance Committee receives a copy of the new fiscal year budget. The Committee meets and reviews the budget and makes the recommendation to the Executive Commitee to adopt the budget. The Finance Commitee meets twice each year and reviews the budget and finances of the Association.
7. What financial challenges or opportunities does the Illinois Retired Teachers Association anticipate in the near future, and how does it plan to address them?
The Association faces the same fiscal restraints as other associations and the members, such as increased costs for personnel and lobbying, inflation, equipment, changes in technology, and increasing membership. The Association has moved to cut costs by hosting more on-line meetings, thereby reducing travel costs. The biggest challenge that lies ahead may be our ability to continue increasing membership. This is partially due to the passage of the Tier 2 retirement package in 2010 by the State of Illinois. Tier 2 applies to new incoming teachers and has a long-term effect of reducing the number of educators coming into the field, while many others are choosing to seek other types of employment. Currently, there is legislative interest in changing Tier 2 that is being driven by both recruitment and retention issues faced by schools, as well as Tier 2’s non-compliance with federal social security requirements. IRTA remains commited to supporting benefit increases for Tier 2 participants. IRTA maintains a working relationship with the Department of Central Management Services (CMS). CMS administers retirees’ health insurance programs, TRIP and TRAIL. In 2022, changes were made to these insurance programs that resulted in the IRTA filing a lawsuit against the State of Illinois. The lawsuit was resolved with the State and moving forward, the Association and its members will be notified prior to any changes being made to their insurance. If a member has issues with their insurance and finds no resolution after speaking to the insurance
company, contact the IRTA office in Springfield
April 16, 2024
TRS Update
Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois: Spring 2024 Update Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS) is one of the largest pension systems in the United States. We provide retirement, disability and survivor benefits to teachers, administrators and other public-school personnel employed outside the city of Chicago. The System serves over 448,000 members and had assets of $69.5 billion as of Feb. 29, 2024. Next Fiscal Year State Budget is a Commitment to TRS Members Earlier this year Governor JB Pritzker delivered the State of the State, sharing his budget proposal before the General Assembly for fiscal year 25 (FY25). The Governor proposed that Illinois increase its statutory funding ratio goal to 100% by fiscal year 2048 from the current goal of 90% by fiscal year 2045, and commits to funding the full certified pension contribution to TRS in the plan. Proposed legislative changes for state-funded retirement systems: • Making additional contributions between FY30 and FY40 from retired debt service obligations to reduce the unfunded liabilities, saving an estimated $5.1 billion in future state contributions. • Preventing significant fluctuations in state contributions towards the end of the amortization period through the implementation of fixed length amortization strips, beginning in 2035. • Examination of Tier II pensionable earnings limit to the Social Security Wage Base. TRS continues to be a resource for information to the General Assembly and the Governor’s Office and will keep members updated on the status of introduced legislation. Benefit Choice Period for Health Insurance Coverage Planned in May The annual Benefit Choice Period for Teachers’ Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP) participants is planned for May 1 – 31, 2024. Benefit Choice is the same to make changes in TRIP coverage and to enroll yourself and eligible dependents. The information about the Benefit Choice Period will be mailed to retirees currently enrolled in TRIP by the end of April and the full Benefit Choice booklet will be available at MyBenefits.illinois.gov. Improving Your Website Experience Through Recent Updates At TRS, we are always looking to improve how we communicate with you. Some of our recent changes include:
• Adding informational pages to improve how we share information.
• Improving the Search Bar functionality to make information easier to find and access.
• Making the website more accessible and user friendly. We are working on additional modifications that will be phased in periodically throughout the year. Stay tuned for information on additional ways we are improving our website.
April 16, 2024
The Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82, presents a significant opportunity to right a long-standing injustice. This legislation seeks to fully repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which have unfairly reduced the retirement benefits of dedicated retired educators, police officers, firefighters and other public servants who have served our communities.
H.R. 82 has overwhelming bipartisan support in the House with over 300 co-sponsors. As a result, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 to examine the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The committee will discuss the intended purpose, shortcomings and alternatives to these policies.
As our members are aware, IRTA has actively sought the repeal of WEP and GPO since its passage. The approval of this legislation by the United States Congress would mark the culmination of IRTA's long fought battle in this arena. Now is not the time to let up - now is the time to urge Congress to support H.R. 82. Advocacy efforts remain critical to help advance discussions and bolster support for a full repeal of WEP/GPO in both chambers.
March 1, 2024
"Social Security Fairness Act"(H.R.82) - will repeal the WEP AND GPO
During our recent event, Congresswoman Budzinski was quick to highlight that the Social Security Fairness Act has strong bi-partisan support in the House of Representatives. Companion legislation has also been introduced in the Senate and is supported by leaders on both sides of the aisle. The bi-partisan support of this bill is important to note because it comes at a time when the chamber is politically divided. She also mentioned that the legislation has over 300 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. The legislation also has support from other organizations that represent public workers, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers. As a self-proclaimed optimist, she stated that this leads her to believe that approval of the Social Security Fairness Act will one day become a reality.
In preparation for IRTA’s meeting with Congresswoman Budzinski, many IRTA members shared personal stories outlining how they are negatively impacted by the WEP and GPO. We heard from retired teachers who are denied survivors benefits due to receiving pensions as retired educators. Others shared stories of needing to secure second jobs in retirement due to the loss of anticipated social security income because of the WEP and GPO. In response to these personal stories, Congresswoman Budzinski offered specific steps that supporters seeking the repeal of WEP and GPO should remain focused on. Her recommended steps include:
• Continuing to share personal stories with legislators. Sharing how you and your family are personally and negatively impacted by these federal policies is powerful.
• Stand in solidarity with other supporters and proponents, including but not limited to police officers, firefighters and other groups that represent public workers.
• Encourage other members of Congress to sign on as co-sponsors to H.R. 82.
February 21, 2024
Governor's Budget and TRS
The Governor gave his State of the State and Budget Address today. There was much discussion of interest to retired teachers. IRTA applauds the Governor for seeking the full certified funding amount for both TRS pensions and for the TRIP and TRAIL programs. This will ensure these programs have the funding necessary to meet their obligations to retired teachers.
February 1, 2024
How to Login to your TRS Member Account
Step 1: Access the TRS Member Login Page
– Open your web browser and visit the TRS website (www.trsil.org)
– Locate the “Member Login” button at the top right corner of the page and click on it to begin the login process.
Step 2: Select “New User”
– On the opening page, you will see several options. Click on the “New User” button to initiate the account creation process.
Step 3: Complete Required Fields
– You will be prompted to fill out specific information to verify your identity. These fields include:
– The last four digits of your Social Security number.
– Your birth date.
– Your TRS Member ID.
Step 4: Find Your TRS Member ID
– Your TRS Member ID can be found on your TRS Membership Card, which TRS sends to every member. You may have received it either by mail or email.
– If you don’t have your Member ID readily available, you can contact TRS at 877-927-5877 (877-9-ASK-TRS) to obtain it.
Step 5: Verify Your Information
– After entering the last four digits of your Social Security number, birth date, and Member ID, the system will cross-check this information with what they have on file for you.
– If the provided information matches their records, a new page will open, guiding you to create a unique username and password.
Step 6: Create Your Username and Password
– Follow the instructions on the page to create a username and password for your TRS member account.
– Your username and password will be immediately established with the proper information.
Step 7: Access the Secure Area
– Once your username and password are set up, you can enter the secure TRS member area on the same day.
– Be aware that additional sign-in screens may be part of the process to ensure security.
Step 8: Remember Your Credentials
– It’s crucial to remember your username and password for future logins.
– In case you forget your login credentials before your next sign-in, you will need to enter your Member ID to regain access to your TRS account.
Setting up your TRS member account is a straightforward process that grants you easy access to important information and services related to your retirement benefits. Ensure that you keep your login information secure to make the most of your online TRS account.
January 3, 2024
President Mike Schmidt Message
As the Illinois Retired Teachers Association steps into the New Year, warmest wishes are extended to all our members. With the dawn of 2024, a new chapter begins, ripe with opportunities for growth, adventure, and treasured experiences. The Association looks forward to embracing this year with the same enthusiasm and dedication that have been the hallmark of its members' careers in education. The new year is anticipated to bring joy, health, and prosperity to each member. As our community continues to support and learn from one another, their collective strength and bond deepen. The Association envisions 2024 as a year brimming with new learning opportunities, meaningful connections, and abundant reasons for joy. United in spirit and purpose, we members are poised to make 2024 a year of memorable and enriching experiences for the entire community.
November 30, 20203
President's Message
Bill Funkhouser
When I took office as IRTA President January 1, 2022, it was apparent that we were facing a time of major transition for the association. Our Executive Director had announced he would be retiring at the end of 2023. We recently had an organizational review by an outside consultant, the Executive Committee had developed a strategic plan and we had just gone through a worldwide pandemic.
I appointed an Executive Director Search Committee which with the assistance of a consultant reviewed applicants and made recommendations to the Executive Committee who decided to hire Jessica Hoselton. You can find information about her in the November 1st Good Dog News e-newsletter.
I appointed a Constitution Committee which I asked to review the entire Constitution to see what is no longer working and make recommendations for changes. Their recommendations were presented to the delegates at the convention in October where major changes were approved. I was pleased to read in the Joliet Area RTA newsletter President Ray Kaufman’s article where he said: “Speaking of IRTA, at the convention in Springfield a few weeks ago, it was voted on to bring IRTA out of the dark ages of the 1950's when communication was by letters delivered by the post office, pay phones at the gas station, or on party lines in our homes. Now, with the internet, every member of IRTA will be notified of dues increases, be able to vote for officers and area representatives, and receive current information as it is generated. Instead of just the 200 or so people attending the convention voting on those important issues, all 40,500+ members will be able to vote on things. And members who live out of state will now be able to vote too.”
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you as your president for the past two years. As I leave office, I would like to thank you all for your support and particularly the office staff who made my job easy. As our new Executive Director and officers take over, let’s all get behind them as they continue the work of protecting our benefits.
Thank you for being members of the only association whose sole purpose is protecting the benefits of retired educators.
November 30, 2023
Convention Wrap-up
Concluding the events of the Convention, Jan Niccum emerged as the winner of the IRTA Foundation quilt raffle, a venture that successfully raised $2,200 for the cause. This achievement was made possible, in part, due to the commendable efforts of Kay Ostrom and Glenda Flaherty, who not only created the beautiful quilt but also managed the raffle booth effectively. As the Convention wrapped up, the organizers expressed profound gratitude to AMBA for their unwavering partnership over the years and heartfelt thanks to all the attendees whose presence and involvement ensured a successful 2023 IRTA Convention.
August 24, 2023
Public Act 103-0088
TRS members can accept work as teachers and administrators without affecting their pensions until June 30, 2026 with work limits at 120 days or 600 hours.
SCAMS Be aware of possible scams claiming they are TRS agents. TRS will never call or contact you to endorse any company's product or service relation to your TRS pension.
August 2, 2023
2023 President's Message Bill Funkhouser
It has been a busy year! Our Convention will be an in-person event at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield on October 16th and 17th. For those of you who have been wanting in-person meetings, this is your opportunity. This will be our first in-person convention since 2019, and I urge every unit to send delegates. Our keynote speaker will be Tom Morris, one of the most active public philosophers in the world, a former professor at Notre Dame and the author of several books including Plato’s Lemonade Stand and If Aristotle Ran General Motors. I am very pleased that Mr. Morris is going to be our keynote speaker. I hope many of you will be attending and get a chance to hear him. In looking to the future and ensuring our association remains relevant, we have been reviewing the consultants' recommendations from the organizational review, the strategic plan developed by the Executive Committee, the things we learned from what happened during the pandemic, and the fact that our Constitution was written in the 1950s, almost seven decades ago. With these things in mind, when I appointed a Constitution Committee to propose constitutional changes that would remove roadblocks to efficient operations and continued success, I asked the members to begin the process with an open mind. I will tell you that they surprised me, coming up with proposed changes that I had not thought of, with good reasons for their proposals. This ACTION will list the issues that we will be voting on. Please read them carefully, and if you cannot attend the Convention, please let your unit’s delegates know how you feel about each issue. Thank you for being members of the only organization whose sole purpose is protecting the benefits of retired educators. I look forward to seeing many of you in October,
August 2, 2023
A Necessary Investment in the Future of Our Organization by Donnie C. Ostrom, Treasurer
A notice of the "Dues Investment Proposal" was included in the IRTA Action newsletter of June 5, 2023. As treasurer, I recommended these increases in the dues structure starting in 2024. The recommendation was proposed, discussed, and passed by the Finance Committee and the Membership Committee. The proposal was then presented to the Executive Board, and they approved it as an item on the Convention docket. The Association's dues have not been changed in ten years and, in some cases, more than ten years. In order to maintain our viability, sustainability, meet the goals set by the IRTA Board of Directors, and be an effective organization for you, this proposal's passage is necessary. Since the proposal appeared in the Action newsletter, several individuals have asked me about the need to increase dues. The costs of operations and lobbying have been impacted by increases in salaries, inflation, mailing, travel, utilities, and technology. If the IRTA is to continue to be successful in securing our pension and insurance benefits, this proposal's passage is imperative. We have scaled back and slowed down on purchasing new technologies and some programs because of maintaining a balanced budget. We must be able to effectively communicate with members, and they with the Association, no matter where they live,
The proposal is as follows: CURRENT PROPOSED
Dues Deduct $2.50/monthly $3.50/monthly
Life Membership $400.00 $600.00
Annual $40.00 $50.00
Annual Recurring $38.00 $46.00
Associate $25.00 $35.00
Associate Life $125.00 $200.00
There will be a discussion and vote at the October Convention to approve this proposal. It should be clear that the organization has always maintained a balanced budget and has been frugal with your dues. But if we are to be successful in the future, increase membership, and communicate with our members, the passage of this proposal is necessary.
April 29, 2023
Interview with Mary Byers, CAE
Investment in dues protects your retirement pension and health insurance.. Less volunteerism is prevelent. Zoom meetings have been a savior to retirees time and efficiency. New ways to communicate has been a problem for our local County. Wondering if our State Conference is the way to go. Mary Byers said to " not be afraid of change".
Legislative Update
Illinois After-School Programs at Risk because of State Error About 27,000 elementary and high school students could lose access to after-school and summer programs in the upcoming fiscal year due to an internal error causing an estimated $15 million funding gap. The programs, known as 21st Century Community Learning Centers, are federally funded through a program administered by ISBE targeting students in low-performing and high-poverty schools. An ISBE spokesperson said the funding gap is the result of a miscalculation the agency made when it tried to estimate how much federal money would be available next year. ISBE is asking the federal government for permission to use pandemic relief funds to cover the amount that was over-allocated for next year
School-Based Health Services Expansion The Biden Administration has approved a Pritzker Administration proposal to expand the Illinois School Based Health Services program, which will bring in additional federal matching funds to provide covered services for Medicaid-enrolled students across the state, including critical youth mental health services. The approval means that the state will receive federal dollars for students who receive things like behavioral health services, preventive care, physical and occupational therapy, and other services covered by Medicaid. Previously, this reimbursement was limited to students who had an Individualized Education Program. The expansion is expected to bring tens of millions of additional federal Medicaid dollars to schools
The Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation is making $42,000 in grant money available statewide in Illinois. This special grant will provide additional funds to public school educators (Pre-K through 12) so that their students will have the means to participate in special projects.
March 15, 2023
The State of Illinois is pleased to announce that Aetna and Memorial Health Systems have reached an agreement in their contract negotiations. Members covered under any of the State of Illinois, TRIP, or TRAIL (Medicare Advantage) health plans utilizing Memorial physicians or hospitals will have no interruption in services.
IRTA Annual Convention at Crowne Plaza-Springfield: October 16 & 17, 2023
Message from President Bill Funkhouser
Last fall Executive Director Jim Bachman, Member Benefits Committee Chair Pat Hampton and I represented IRTA at the Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA) Roundup. There were leaders of associations from all over the country attending. It was not just retired teacher associations but associations representing state employees, police, fireman, etc. It was very interesting talking with leaders of the other groups. It seems they all have basically the same concerns we do. Getting and retaining members is number one. Updating constitutions and modernizing governance is also a concern of most. It again made me appreciate how fortunate we are to have the Pension Protection Clause in the Illinois Constitution. Almost all the other association’s pensions and benefits are at the whim of their state legislatures and can be changed at any time. It was an intense 2 days with several presenters and panel discussions. Jim Bachman took part in one of the panel discussions and represented IRTA very well. I was pleasantly surprised that the focus was not on the products offered by AMBA but rather on how they can help us grow our membership. One of the sessions was on “The State of Associations.” In this session it was pointed out that one of the main problems associations are facing is insufficient volunteers. This is one of the problems we are seeing in our own association with the difficulty we are having finding volunteers for leadership positions and committee members. Another session was “Who is Your Who?” That is who are your potential members. In this presentation the population was divided into groups by age. The groups discussed were: 1. Milestone Baby Boomers 19451964. This group is just ready to enter retirement and begin participating in Medicare. 2. Gen X 1965-1979. This group is the in-between generation. They are working, raising children, and possibly taking care of parents. 3. Millennials 1980-2000. This is the generation that grew up with technology. Our target groups are Milestone Baby Boomers and Gen X who are beginning to think about retirement. Each of these groups has a different set of values and expectations. As an association we need to keep that in mind as we modify our structure to appeal to them and meet their needs. For me, the highlight of the Roundup was keynote speaker Tom Morris. He is one of the most active public philosophers in the world, a former professor at Norte Dame and the author of several books including Plato’s Lemonade Stand and If Aristotle Ran General Motors. I am very pleased that Mr. Morris is going to be the keynote speaker at our convention in October. I hope many of you will be attending and get a chance to hear him.
February 21, 2023
Dear IRTA Members,
The 2023 application and current guidelines for the IRTA Foundation Scholarship is now available. Applications and current guidelines are posted on the IRTA website at www.irtaonline.org and located under the Foundation tab.
One $2,000 scholarship is available in each of the six IRTA Areas of the state. These scholarships are only available to incoming juniors or seniors in college enrolled in a certified teacher training program. The deadline to postmark or email applications is March 7, 2023.
Thanks to a generous private donation by an IRTA member, there is an additional $3,000 scholarship in Area 4 (MCRTA is an Area 4) & Area 6.
If you have any questions or need assistance in obtaining an application, please contact Susan Goetz at susan@irtaonline.org or call 1.800.728.4782
January 7, 2023
Welcome from IRTA President, Bill Funkhouser, for the New Year 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FL7DuquwHA
December 22, 2022
Report of Zoom meeting on 12/22:
If you are being switched over to the Aetna Health Plan, you should have receiver a letter from them containing your Aetna Number. It was suggested that you take a photo of that letter indication your number in case you have to use Aetna insurance after the 1st of the year. The United plan will change over to Aetna on January 1, 2023. Aetna cards are being mailed next week.
September 20, 2022
IRTA Members,
Central Management Services (CMS) indicated that the current Medicare Advantage Plan (MAPD) contract with United Healthcare is set to expire on December 31, 2022. During this process, CMS chose to end the State’s relationship with United and chose Aetna to become the new, sole MAPD provider. Just like United Healthcare's MAPD plan, Aetna's plan will not include vision or dental. In addition, during this process, CMS chose to no longer provide an HMO option.
Under the new contract, premiums will decrease, while out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles will stay the same. Some aspects of the program may also change such as which drugs are formulary and which doctors are considered in network. Members should discuss these changes with their healthcare team to understand how if at all, these changes could affect them.
CMS also stated that no action will be required unless a participant wants to opt out of the Aetna MAPD PPO Plan. If you and your Medicare-eligible dependent(s) are currently covered under the United Healthcare MAPD Plan or a MAPD HMO Plan, you and your Medicare-eligible dependent(s) will be automatically enrolled in the Aetna MAPD PPO Plan with coverage beginning January 1, 2023.
Sincerely,
Jim Bachman
IRTA Executive Director
Bill Funkhouser President
On July 28th, I received a phone call from Larry Pfeiffer telling me that, for personal reasons, he was resigning from the position of IRTA Vice-President. Section 3. C. of the constitution says: “Should a vacancy occur in any office other than that of President, the President, with Executive Committee approval, shall appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term.” So, I began thinking about members I thought would be a good choice for the position. I discussed several possibilities with Executive Director Jim Bachman. I then began calling people to see if they would be interested in the position. I went through 6 names from 3 different Areas of the state, and all turned down the position. Since the Constitution says the Vice-President shall be the Chair of the Constitution Committee and I was also appointing the Vice-President to Chair the Executive Director search committee, I felt it was very important to get the position filled quickly with a competent person. I contacted former President Roger Hampton, and he agreed to accept the position to move forward with these vital committees. Roger is very passionate about IRTA and concerned about keeping IRTA relevant in the future. I know he will do a great job. Thank you, Roger, for being willing to accept this responsibility. What happened here emphasizes one of my greatest concerns about our association. That is the lack of new people stepping up to accept positions of leadership. Every 2 years we elect new officers and half of the Area Representatives. When I first became a member of IRTA and began attending conventions, the elections were a major part of the conventions with almost every office being contested at each convention. For the last several years, with few exceptions, there has only been one candidate for each position. One of the exceptions was in 2017 when John Flaherty and I were candidates for Vice-President. Beforehand we agreed that no matter who won, we felt the association would be in good hands and that the winner would be an old guy with a gray beard. As I told John then and many times since, I think competition is good for the association as it increases interest in the elections.
Next year at the convention, we will be electing the four officers and representatives for Areas 2, 4, and 6. Any member in good standing is eligible to run for any of these positions. All you must do is have someone turn in a nomination form for you. I think it would be great for our association if we have 2 or more candidates for each position. If you know someone you think would be good in one of the positions, talk to them and encourage them to get involved. Again, thank you all for being members of the only organization whose sole purpose is protecting the benefits of retired educators.
MCRTA/IRTA REPORTS
9/15/24
Vacancy on the TRS Board of Trustees
On August 1, 2024, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association (IRTA) announced a forthcoming vacancy on the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) Board of Trustees. Larry Pfeiffer, the current TRS Annuitant Trustee, has decided not to seek re-election. This decision opens up an elected annuitant trustee position in 2025. IRTA is now actively looking for a qualified member to step into this important role.
9/12/24
Fall IRTAPAC endorsed Candidates
Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-17) | Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-18) | Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (D-19) | Rep. Bradley Stephens (R-20) | Rep. Kam Buckner (D-26) | Rick Ryan (D-36 | Rep. Terra Costa-Howard (D-42) | Diane Blair-Sherlock (D-46) | Jackie Williamson (D-47) | Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro (R-48) | Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-50) | Rep. Nabella Syed (D-51) | Maria Peterson (D-52) | Rep. Nicole Grasse (D-53) | Mary Beth Canty (D-54) | Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-56) | Rep. Tracy Katz-Muhl (D-57) | Rep. Bob Morgan (D-58) | Rep. Daniel Didech (D-59) | Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-60) | Rep. Joyce Mason (D-61) | Rep. Laura Faver Dias (D-62) | Rep. Tom Weber (R-64) | Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-65) | Rep. Maurice West (D-67) | Rep. Dave Vella (D-68) | Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-70) | Rep. Daniel Swanson (R-71) | Gregg Johnson (D-72) | David Simpson (D-74) | Liz Bishop (R-76) | Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-80) | Aaron Porter (R-81) | Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-84) | Regan Deering (R-88) | Rep. Travis Weaver (R-93) | Rep. Norine Hammond (R-94) | C Rep. Sue Scherer (D-96) | Kyle Moore (R-99) | Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-100) | Rep. Brandun Schweizer (R-104) | Dennis Tipsword Jr. (R-105) | Wayne Rosenthal (R-108) | Rep. Charles Meier (R-109) | Rep. Amy Elk (R-111) | Rep. Katie Stuart (D-112) | Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-113) | Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-114) | Rep. Dave Severin (R-116) | Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-117)
The following candidates seeking election to the Illinois Senate include: Senator Karina Villa (D-25) | Senator Mark Walker (D-27) | Senator Laura Murphy (D-28) | Mary Edly-Allen (D-31) | Senator Steve Stadelman (D-34) | Senator Patrick Joyce (D-40) | Rachel Ventura (D-43) | Senator Dave Koehler (D46) | Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-49) | Senator Paul Faraci (D-52) | Terri Bryant (R-58)
2/6/2024
2024 Scholarship News
The 2024 application and current guidelines for the IRTA Foundation Scholarships are available. Applications and current guidelines are posted on this page.
IRTAF Scholarship InformationMoler-Austin Scholarship InformationHelen Kennedy Scholarship InformationRose Sandstrom Scholarship Information
One $2,000 scholarship is available in each of the six IRTA Areas of the state. These scholarships are only available to incoming juniors or seniors in college enrolled in a certified teacher training program. The deadline to postmark or email applications is March 7, 2024.
Thanks to a generous private donation by an IRTA member, there is an additional $3,000 scholarship in Area 4 & Area 6.
Other scholarships available in 2024, are the Moler-Austin Scholarship which offers two $4,500 scholarships to KENDALL COUNTY high school graduates that will be entering their Sophomore, Junior, or Senior year of college with a declared major in Education. The Helen Kennedy Scholarship which is a $2,000 scholarship and is available to graduates of any Illinois High School that will be entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of college with a declared major in Education. Finally, the Rose Sandstrom Scholarship is for $2,000 and is available to one incoming senior in college attending either Western Illinois University or Monmouth College with a declared major in Physical Education.
Applications for any of the above scholarships must be postmarked or emailed and sent to the IRTA office on or before March 7, 2024, and the recipients will be announced by April 21, 2024. The awards will be given as follows: one half in June for the fall semester with the balance to be awarded in January upon registrar verification of a 3.0 or above GPA on a 4.0 scale.If you have any questions or need assistance in obtaining an application or to send an application, please contact Susan Goetz at susan@irtaonline.org or call 1.800.728.4782.
2023 IRTA Foundation Area Scholarship RecipientsThe IRTA Foundation awards six $2,000 scholarships to incoming juniors or seniors in college that are pursuing a degree in education. Thanks to a very generous private donation from one of our members, Areas 4 and 6 each will award a second scholarship of $3,000. The eight winners were chosen through competition with other applicants from their own area of the state.The IRTA Foundation congratulates all of the recipients and wishes them the best of luck!
11/7/23
Phylis Cox report on IRTA Convention:
Another successful IRTA Convention took place on October 16th and 17th . Attending IRTA conventions is always rewarding because of the number of people there involved and interested in the success of the IRTA organization.
A primary focus of this convention was on the election of officers and area representatives.
The new officers are listed below and will begin their terms on January 1, 2024.
President-Mike Schmidt
VP-Rainy Kaplan
Treasurer-Donnie Ostrom
Secretary-LaVonne Chaney
Area 2 Rep-Wendy Wiegers
Area 4 Rep-Deloris Turner
Area 6 Rep-Mary May
Another important focus, however, is the voting results for any operational changes to our constitution. The following is a summary of the constitutional changes approved by the Delegate Assembly.
The Delegate Assembly approved a resolution concerning an increase in membership dues. The increases for each dues category are as follows and will be effective on January 1, 2024.
Current Dues Effective January 1, 2023
Annual-$40 $50
Monthly-$2.50 $3.50
Life-$400 $600
Annual Recurring-$38 $46
Annual Associate Recurring-$25 $35
Associate Life-$125 $200
5 Year Dues Option-No longer available
Future proposals concerning dues increases will be under the Standing Rules beginning in 2024.
The delegates also passed a resolution concerning how future voting will take place .Prior to each Biennial Convention now, active IRTA members will vote to elect officers and area representatives in their respective areas and on proposed changes to the constitution. They will do this electronically or by paper ballot.
Delegates also voted to change the name of the Nominations Committee to Leadership Development. In addition, they accepted the resolution that Finance and Leadership Development Committees will consist of a chairperson and a voting member from each area. The Legislative, Member Benefits, and Membership Committees will consist of a chairperson, the corresponding local unit chairperson, and any other IRTA members wishing to join.
Although the Delegate Assembly was an important focus for this conference, attendees also enjoyed various highlights throughout the two days. Since the theme of this year’s convention was “Reimagining the Illinois Retired Teachers Association,” there was a great deal of talk about accepting and adjusting to necessary changes in our organization. The keynote speaker, Tom Morris, who has been called “the world’s happiest philosopher,” echoed that sentiment in his presentation about how change is inevitable and our survival depends on our ability to successfully adapt to it. Tom Morris was extremely entertaining and enlightening.
Another highlight was at the banquet when they acknowledged honorees for their hard work and dedication. Several unit representatives were brought forward and recognized. In addition, special recognition was given to Doris Heaton and Jim Bachman for their years of service to the IRTA . Joining together to appreciate those who have done so much for us and our organization is truly rewarding. The IRTA Convention seems to provide an opportunity for all of us to realize and appreciate the dedication, hard work, and efforts of so many working to benefit all IRTA members.
Submitted by Phylis Cox
11/7/23
TRS Report - Doug Strand
On October 26, 2023, there was a meeting of the TRS Board of Trustees in Springfield, IL. The meeting started at9:00 a.m. and began with a review of a discussion of our Real Estate part being underweight in our portfolio of investments. A quick review of our cash flow showed the “state” putting in close to $6 billion, the “employees and schools” putting in close to $1.1 billion and TRS sending out close to $8 billion to retirees, like you and me. The “difference” had to be made up from the investments made by the TRS Staff. Good job TRS, thank you.
The Board passed the state’s contribution of $113 million to the Teachers Health Insurance Fund after a good discussion on the topic. Our IRTA and TRS political person, Andrew Bodewes, gave an update on Springfield (General Assembly). Safe Harbor for Tier 2 educators was discussed and how it might affect employees, schools, and TRS. A short presentation on “Responsible Contractors Policies” was given by our outside lawyer from Reinhart.
6/6/23
IRTA PRESIDENT, BILL FUNKHOUSER
As we move forward, there are many virtual experiences available to our members. Our "Area" Conferences are being held throughout the year, each one hosted by one of the Area Representatives. Area 1 was held in February, Area 2 in April, Area 3 will be held on June 7th, Area 4 on July 12th, Area 5 on August 9th, and Area 6 on September 6th. All are open to all IRTA members. You will receive an email about a month before each conference. You must register to participate. There is "Coffee with Jim" usually each month. Again, you will receive an email with a link to participate. During this time, our Executive Director, Jim Bachman, will provide current information and answer questions. Watch your email for announcements about special programs presented by AMBA. These are on various subjects of interest to our members. If you missed the previous presentations, they are available on our website. Our Convention will be an in person event at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield on October 16th and 17th. For those of you who prefer in-person meetings, this is your opportunity. I hope to see many of you there. Watch for information in the Convention issue of the IRTA Action later this summer. Recently, you should have received a letter from me about the Foundation fundraiser. This is the major source of revenue for the Foundation, enabling us to carry out the programs of the Foundation. I hope you will all be very generous in donating. The IRTA membership currently stands at just over 40,000 members. As we near the end of another school year, be sure to tell every retiring educator what the IRTA does and will continue to do to protect their pensions and benefits. Invite any new retiree you know to a local meeting and to join IRTA. Sometimes all it takes is a personal invitation. As you may know, our Executive Director, Jim Bachman, will be retiring at the end of the year. The Executive Director search committee, along with our consultant, Brewer Pratt Solutions, has developed a detailed job description and is preparing to distribute it in search of potential candidates. We hope to introduce the successor for the position at the Convention in October. Thanks to all of you for being members of the only organization whose sole purpose is to protect the benefits of retired educators. Points to Ponder: "The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity." - Amelia Earhart, aviator "The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - Socrates
6/5/23
The IRTA Foundation awarded six $2,000 scholarships to incoming juniors or seniors in college that are pursuing a degree in education. Thanks to a very generous private donation from one of our members, Areas 4 and 6 each will award a second scholarship of $3,000. The eight winners were chosen through competition with other applicants from their own area of the state.
4/29/23:
IRTA President Bill Funkhouser interview with Mary Byers, CAE:
Mary has written in a book that the greatest value of an association such as IRTA is to be organized in such a way to protect the needs of the group (such as pension and health benefits). They look to organize in such a way as to be more efficient and to modern ways of doing things.
Illinois After-School Programs at Risk because of State Error
About 27,000 elementary and high school students could lose access to after-school and summer programs in the upcoming fiscal year due to an internal error causing an estimated $15 million funding gap. The programs, known as 21st Century Community Learning Centers, are federally funded through a program administered by ISBE targeting students in low-performing and high-poverty schools. An ISBE spokesperson said the funding gap is the result of a miscalculation the agency made when it tried to estimate how much federal money would be available next year. ISBE is asking the federal government for permission to use pandemic relief funds to cover the amount that was over-allocated for next year.
School-Based Health Services Expansion
The Biden Administration has approved a Pritzker Administration proposal to expand the Illinois SchoolBased Health Services program, which will bring in additional federal matching funds to provide covered services for Medicaid-enrolled students across the state, including critical youth mental health services. The approval means that the state will receive federal dollars for students who receive things like behavioral health services, preventive care, physical and occupational therapy, and other services covered by Medicaid. Previously, this reimbursement was limited to students who had an Individualized Education Program. The expansion is expected to bring tens of millions of additional federal Medicaid dollars to schools.
Legislative Update from IRTA Legislative Zoom meeting of 1/18/23:
Jim Bachman updated the Committee on the lawsuit regarding TRIP/TRAIL funding. IRTA is currently in discussions with the Attorney General’s Office to negotiate a settlement. Jim believes we should hear something in the next 30 days. Due to the change in the TRAIL premiums and with the Federal Government funding of Medicare, the funding requirements have changed compared to 2 years ago. IRTA is still concerned with the $160 million that the Comptroller still owes to the fund.
Andrew Bodewes informed the Committee that we are young in the legislative year. Approximately 2,000 shell bills have been filed and around five hundred meaningful bills have been filed, but none pertain to IRTA concerns. The Governor is still stating he supports pension funding. TRIP/TRAIL stakeholders are discussing introducing legislation that would make disclosure of changes to the plans more transparent and that those affected would be informed before changes are made. IRTA would be involved with this legislation.
CURRENT 2023 MCRTA DUES PAID MEMBERS
BH-SW: Jan Cloud, Luella Rust, Polly Eldred
CARLINVILLE: Rose Mary Stock, Denise Boente, Deb Seekamp, Kathy Knetzer, Mary Spurgeon, Dave Jokisch, Cindy Tipps, Leetha Brown, Dixie Stewart-Gage, Judy Minster, Helen Kinser, Linda Stuckey ,Janet Steiner, Loretta Tawfall, Ann Rolando, Carol Meyer, Chris Powell, Nancy Duckels, Craig Witham
GILLESPIE: Ed Saracco, Cindy Saracco, Harry Cavanaugh, Theresa Duncan, Suzanne Stewart, Margaret Reeves, Jackie Klaus
NORTH MAC: Sue Bickel, Carolyn Broadhead, Doug Broadhead, Jeanette Earley, Carol Furman, Steve Furman, Meridy Gillespie, Deborah Ghrist, Darlene Hochmuth, Kenneth Hochmuth, Peggy Klaus, Sue Kime, Kathy Malone, Mary Ann Pollitt, (Hacker)
STAUNTON: Connie Bequette, , Michele Bertolino, Richard Bertolino, Hulda Black, Debra Buffington, Sheryn Buhrmester, Kay Lynn Caldieraro, Elizabeth Diel, Joe Dugan, Connie Eilmann, Evonne Fritz, Carolyn Genczo, Nancy Goldasich, Eleanor Gregory, Sandal Herbeck, Kyle Hlafka, Theresa Jarden, Linda Leckrone, Rita Leigh, Janice Libbra, Patricia Long, Lynn Manning, Russell Masinelli, Marian Mayfield, Kathleen Miersch, Joy Mishanec, Kathy Louish, Brenda Pollett, Marthee Rizzi, Emmlee Robinson, Donna Ruehrup, Ron Rull, Joyce Sanvi, Gail Scheller, Jan Skertich, Mark Skertich, Nancy Stotler, Mary Thomason, Beverly Williams
Minutes of MCRTA Fall Meeting at Federated Church in Carlinville on 10/19/22 at Noon:
The North Mac unit led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a prayer led by MCRTA member, Darrel Molen. 31 members were in attendance to enjoy the catered meal served by Judy Carriker and her crew. Ed Saracco, from the Gillespie Unit, led of the business meeting by giving out a listing of current IRTA members and non-members for each County unit. He encouraged the members to make contact with non-members and try to convince them of the importance of belonging to the IRTA. President, Dave Jokisch, following up the presentation by pointing out that members could use the new website: mcrtainfo.com as a means of starting that process. President Jokisch also reminded attending members to contribute to the IRTA Foundation as well as leave books for children at the back of the room. After discussions regarding the transfer of Health Insurance from United to AETNA with points given from info provided by the IRTA, again President Jokisch indicated any updates could be followed by going to the mcrtainfo.com website. A series of Board-approved changes was noted for the 2023 year:
- The Spring and Fall regular meetings will be moved from the 4th week of May and October to the 3rd week of those months. After much discussion, it seems that Tuesday will be the best day of those weeks to have the meetings. This will be on a trial basis for 2023.
- There will be no more newsletters mailed out to members previous to the Spring & Fall meetings because of the increasing expense of that process. Members will need to go the website: mcrtainfo.com to receive the newsletter previous to those meetings (members who do not have internet access can pay $6 to a local member that will cover the cost of printing and mailing that letter to that person without access to internet)
- Annual MCRTA dues has been reduced to $7 for the 2023 year with local units encouraged to have no dues. Each unit still has the right to collect and use local unit dues if they wish.
- The Board meetings for the 2023 year will occur via Zoom technology.
Larry Pfeiffer, Carlinville member and member of the Teachers Retirement System, gave a report on the financial health of the TRS. That organization has been near the top in the United States financially for organizations of that type. Mary Ann Pollitt of the North Mac unit than gave a very enjoyable presentation on her retirement hobby of dog training and showed videos of dog trials demonstrating what they do. This was followed by honoring those retired Macoupin County teachers who have past since 2019. They included: Ethel Behrens, Millie Burgess, Luella Dickhaut, Don Dobrino Grace Huyear, Ann Reichmann, Barbara Madden Sawyer, Ben Strode, Larry Kuba, and Shirley Jean Heidbrink
Reporting, Dave Jokisch, MCRTA President
AETNA SHOW GOOD SIGN
An Aetna official says he’s encouraged about the state of contract negotiations between his company and Carle Health on Aetna’s 2023 Medicare Advantage plan for state retirees.“We clearly get and understand the concern the retirees have,” Rick Frommeyer, senior vice president of Aetna Group Retiree Solutions, told The News-Gazette on Tuesday.Aetna and Carle are in the midst of negotiations on a contract that, if finalized, will give retired state workers access to Carle providers under a state-sponsored Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO plan for next year.
UPDATE (11/1/22)
Now that Carle Health and Aetna have reached a tentative deal, worries may end for thousands of state retirees fearful they would lose access to their Carle doctors. On the same day that two East Central Illinois state legislators filed bills in an effort to bring retirees some choice in their 2023 health insurance, Carle and Aetna ann ounced Monday that they’d reached a tentative agreement on a contract that will make Carle an in-network provider for the new state-sponsored Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO.
THIS IS THE LAST NEWSLETTER THAT WILL BE MAILED. You can access MCRTA info by going to the website: www.mcrtainfo.com Information will constantly be updated throughout the year with information about the 5 local Units (BH-SW,CRTA,NORTH MAC, SRTA, and Gillespie) as well as IRTA information that they have published. If you are not capable of using the internet, you can send $6 to a local member within your Association group and they will mail you a printout of the newsletter from the website. You can avoid that fee by going to your local Library or ask a caretaker or relative/friend who can print from the website. Thanks to MCRTA Board approval, the annual dues has been reduced to $7 for MCRTA and their will be no local dues owed(the dues has been reduced due to less cost maintaining compared to mailing a newsletter. Dues are due this Fall for the coming year, 2023.
Payment for 2023 dUES - $7 (TO BE PAID SOMETIME THIS FALL FOR 2023 - LOCAL DUES ARE AT $0 UNLESS NOTIFIED BY YOUR LOCAL UNIT. LOCAL UNITS ARE WELCOME TO CHARGE LOCAL DUES TO HELP COVER THEIR PROGRAM EXPENSES AND THAT WILL BE COVERED STRICTLY IN HOUSE
BH-SW members send check(payable to BH-SW account) to: Linda Atwood, 154 E Myrtle St, Palmyra, IL 62674
Carlinville members send check (payable to CRTA) to Dave Jokisch, 19357 Sycamore LN, Carlinville, IL 62626
Gillespie members send check (payable to MCRTA) to Dave Jokisch, 19357 Sycamore LN, Carlinville, IL 62626
North Mac members send check (payable to NM account) to Jeanette Early, 16100 Aspen LN, Girard, IL 62640
Staunton members send check (payable to MCRTA) to Dave Jokisch, 19357 Sycamore LN, Carlinville, IL 62626
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11/14/22 Meeting of IRTA Foundation Board
The minutes of the meeting of April 19, 2022 were approved as presented. Chair Report: Bill Funkhouser explained that he is continuing the practice of calling the large donators to the Foundation and thanking them for their gift. The people are very pleased and appreciative of the effort. Retiree Assistance – Erica Pinkley reported that we are now assisting 10 retirees for a total of $4325 per month or $51,900 per year. Several people were assisted on a one-time basis. Members were urged to tell the units that this is available for any TRS retiree. Excellence in Education Grants – Tricia Klim announced that 183 Excellence in Education Grants had been received and 67 were funded. The total expenditure for this benefit was $32,538.29. The 2022 Foundation Scholarships were awarded to the recipients. These scholarships were for $1500 per academic year with the second $750 being forwarded to the student in January upon receipt of their transcript for the fall semester and a copy of their spring semester class schedule. The Moler-Austin Scholarship Scholarships were awarded to two graduates of Kendall County. These $4,500 scholarships are due to the generosity of an IRTA member who donated the proceeds of her land for this purpose. Susan Goetz handles both of the scholarship programs. Other Business: John Harland spoke of the public relations benefits obtained by the Excellence in Education Grants. He made the motion, seconded by Jim Barr, to increase the grant awards from $36,500 to $42,000 in 2023. Motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Legislative Update 7/26/2022 Lawmakers are now focused on in-district work and the 2022 general election before convening again for the Fall Veto Session. The General Assembly returns for Veto Session November 15-17 and November 29 – December 1. No date has been set for a possible Special Session on legislation related to reproductive health and/or guns – and it is still up in the air as to whether they will return at all before the scheduled veto session. The Caucus Experiencing the Most Change At least 11 House Republicans in the current caucus won’t return next year. Some didn’t seek re-election while others sought higher office or lost their primary races for re-election. That doesn’t count any potential November losses, guaranteeing House Republicans will have a dramatically changed caucus next year. Further, 5 of the 11 are current members of House Minority Leader Jim Durkin’s leadership team. Illinois Continues Building Up “Rainy Day” Fund Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced the deposit of $100 million into the “Rainy Day” Fund, as part of a commitment to investing $1 Billion in the account this fiscal year. The improved Budget Stabilization Fund, now at $854 million, is one of the many steps that has resulted in six recent credit upgrades for the state. At one point, the fund held less than $60,000. Beginning in FY24, state law requires that minimum payments of $45 million dollars a year will be required in each state budget to continue stabilizing the fund.
TRS Report
Recently, there was an article in the SJR paper detailing how the Pension Debt is getting worse because of a time of lower interest rates and I was reminded of the Summer report from the TRS in their newsletter:
TRS Investment Strategy Protects 2021 Gains Despite Market Volatility
The diversified, risk-adverse investment strategy employed by TRS in response to an unpredictable economy and roller-coaster markets protected System assets during the first 9 months of fiscal year 2022. As a result, the value of the TRS investment portfolio remains at record levels, with a total value of $66.1 billion reported at the end of March 2022. The fiscal year ended June 30.
Despite negative news stories about the economy and investment markets, TRS will continue to pay all pensions in full and on time. Currently, the System pays out $7.3 billion in benefits every year, expenditures that are more than covered by annual revenues and the assets in the TRS portfolio. Because TRS carries one of the lowest funded ratios for a major public pension system in the United States - 42.5% - the TRS Board of Trustees has recognized for years that it would be unwise to implement an aggressive investment strategy that could lead to further declines in the ration if markets underperform. Instead, the trustees and investment staff have constructed diversified portfolio that is designed to make money in "good" economic times but safeguard assets when markets are more "volatile."
The System's strong investment returns over the last 2 years and an "above-and-beyond" funding commitment from Gov. JB Pritzker over the last few years led to a slight decrease in the TRS unfunded liability from $80.7 billion to $79.9 billion. Late in March, a bill adding $300 million to the fiscal year 2022 state pension allocation of $9.4 billion was signed into law by Gov. Pritzker. The remaining $200 million in the governor's pension funding plan will be added to the upcoming fiscal year 2023 state budget, which includes $9.6 billion for state pensions. The added funds will reduce the future long-term liability of the state's pension systems by and estimated $1.8 billion.
MCRTA NEWS
May 3, 2024
List of those registered for Annual MCRTA meeting on May 14, 2024 @ 12 noon @ Legion Smokehouse
BH-SW: Darrell Molen Bill Funkhouser Phylis Cox Mike Cox Louann Brown Carolyn Kelly Linda Atwood
CARLINVILLE: David Jokisch Pete Genta Char Genta Ann Rolando Leetha Brown Chris Powell, Nancy Duckels
GILLESPIE: Margaret Reeves Cyrelda Dobrino Suzanne Stewart Ed Saracco Cindy Saracco Joyce Staggs Theresa Duncan Sidney Stauffer Kathy Stauffer Nancy Hubert Denise Worth, John Burns
NORTH MAC: Kathy Malone Mary Ann Pollitt Steve Furman Carolyn Furman Ken Hochmuth Darlene Hochmuth Jeanette Earley Doug Broadhead Sue Kime
April 30, 2024
MCRTA NEWSLETTER MAY/2024 Agenda for 5/2024 MCRTA Meeting(starting at 12 noon at Legion Smokehouse Grill-554 Ramey St., Carlinville):
- Pledge of Allegiance &Those Who have Passed & Prayer –
- Meal – Tim Snodgrass, Chef: Soup/Salad bar-one trip; Pork and/or Brisket Sandwich; Mac & cheese;; Seasoned Green Beans; Cake; Water, Tea, Coffee, Soda
- Announcements/Discussions – How to use website(mcrtainfo.com)
- Reminder of Foundation & PAC donations & childrens’ books
- TRS Report – Larry Pfeiffer-“TRS Pension: How it can change and when it did”
- Adjournment
- Will have Donations for PAC, IRTA Foundation, & please bring Children’s Books • Start using website: mcrtainfo.com • Send check as listed below for $7 for Dues or $16 for Dues & Meal
- BH-SW members send check(payable to BH/SW RTA ) to: Linda Atwood, 154 E Myrtle St, Palmyra, IL 62674 Carlinville members send check (payable to MCRTA) to Dave Jokisch, 19357 Sycamore LN, Carlinville, IL 62626 Gillespie members send check (payable to MCRTA) to Dave Jokisch, 19357 Sycamore LN, Carlinville, IL 62626 North Mac members send check payable to Jeanette Early to Jeanette Early, 16100 Aspen LN, Girard, IL 62640 Staunton members send check (payable to MCRTA ) to Dave Jokisch, 19357 Sycamore LN, Carlinville, IL 62626
May 16, 2023
MINUTES OF MCRTA SPRING MEETING
Carlinville Federated Church May 16, 2023 at noon
The gathering of the Macoupin County Retired Teachers Association was called to order by President Dave Jokisch at noon. After he asked a blessing, he called for the local units to go through the buffet line based on various criteria. The meal was provided by FEMA from Benld. The menu consisted of fried chicken, hot ham, loaded mashed potatoes, tortellini in creamy garlic and cheese sauce, peas and carrots mixed, green beans, Vienna bread and butter, pudding, coffee and tea. Attendees paid $10 per meal while the Association picked up the additional $6.25 to cover the cost of the meal. Following the lunch, Larry Pfeiffer. TRS Trustee, was introduced by Dave to give an update on the Teachers’ Retirement System. Prior to his talk, Larry had distributed a Statistical Report from 2017 to 2022. During his speech. He referred to material on the handout. To lighten the load of the heavy topic, he shared appropriate anecdotal stories to illustrate his point and get a laugh from the audience of 39 members in attendance. IRTA President Bill Funkhouse was unable to be present so he submitted a written report which was included in a handout that Dave had distributed before the meeting started. Bill reported on a meeting he attended and learned all groups involved had trouble recreating new members. He mentioned the speaker they heard, Tom Morris will be the keynote speaker at our convention which will be October 16 and 17 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. Dave continued with the meeting by asking for volunteers to attend the convention in the fall all expenses will be paid by the Association. So far he knows of two who will attend. He also announced that next year the Spring Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 with the board meeting to be on April 14, 2024. At the general meeting a discussion will be held to determine if this organization will continue or disband. Dave said he simply cannot continue to serve as president, treasurer, webmaster, arranger and host of the yearly meeting. He has stepped up to serve in these positions when no one else did. He announced there is as of now $3540.23 in the treasury; it will need to be decided what to do with that money. Dave reminded everyone we now have a website where he includes much information and announcements and urged people to watch. The website’s address is mcrtainfo.com. The meeting was adjourned at 2:06,Carolyn Broadhead, Recording Secretary
April 19, 2023
Tuesday, May 16th, MCRTA Spring Meeting, Noon What a deal! Only $10 for a full meal catered by FEMAs of Benld (the MCRTA treasury is picking up the rest of the tab per meal). The Macoupin Retired Teachers Spring meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 16th, at 12 noon at the Carlinville Federated Church at 122 E 2nd South in Carlinville. The menu catered by FEMAS will include Fried Chicken, Ham, Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Tortellini in Creamy Garlic and Cheese Sauce, Peas and Carrots Mix, Green Beans, Apple Sauce, and Pudding for dessert. All Checks are due in the mail by May 1. Members from the Bunker Hill – Southwestern Unit will send their check(payable to BH-SW) for $10 to Linda Atwood at 154 E Myrtle St, Palmyra, IL 62674. Members of the North Mac unit will send their check for $10 (payable to N Mac) to Jeanette Earley at 16100 Aspen Lane, Girard, IL 62640. Members of the Carlinville, Gillespie, and Staunton units will send their $10 payable to MCRTA to David Jokisch, 19357 Sycamore Lane, Carlinville, IL 62626.
April 18, 2023
MCRTA BOARD MEETINGROE Building Carlinville April 18, 2023
Those in attendance: Dave Jokisch, Bill Funkhouser, Phyllis Cox, Carolyn Broadhead, and guest, Doug Broadhead. President Dave Jokisch called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance, he distributed the report of the fall meeting which was held on October 19,2022 which he discussed. There were no corrections. He also handed out copies of the treasurer’s report which was a listing of entries from the MCRTA checkbook. Both reports were accepted as printed. Dave asked Bill Funkhouser who is the current IRTA president to discuss the problems facing the state organization. The major problem is the dwindling interest in joining IRTA. Recently retired teachers are not joining. Leadership within the local units in the state is difficult to find. The potential solution to the problems facing local units has been for units to combine with another one. The problems of location, distance of travel, and willingness of members to change were some of the negative factors making this solution not viable for many. There was discussion on Bill’s report since everything he mentioned applies to our unit. It was suggested we go to one unit meeting a year, but would it be in the spring or the fall? Other solutions were suggested: join other units as a whole local or as individuals, the entire county unit join with another unit. Or the unit as a whole disband. How this is to be done was a question raised These problems will be part of the discussion at the spring meeting of MCRTA. Carolyn was asked to research the rules for us to disband. That meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 16 at the Federated Church at noon. Local unit treasurers will be responsible for notifying their members of the meeting through emails and collecting payment for the meal. Those payment should be combined into one check to be given to President Dave either mailed to him or given to him on the day of the meeting. He will need a count of the number and names of those who will attend (for preparation of name tags) by May 10.Fema Catering Service of Benld will be providing the food with the following items chosen by Dave (selection required by Fema to be done when arranged):
Fried chicken, Hot ham, Loaded mashed potatoes, Tortellini in creamy garlic and cheese sauce, Peas and carrots mixed, Green beans, Apple sauce, Vienna bread & butter Pudding, Coffee & tea. After some discussion, Bill moved and Phyllis seconded that the member pay $10 and the unit pick up the rest of the charge $16.25 for the meal. (by the unit $6.25 for at least thirty meals). The motion passed. At the meeting there will be collections for IRTA PAC as well as books for children. Volunteers to be delegates to the IRTA Convention October 16 & 17 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. The program will be reports by Larry Pfeiffer on the Teachers Retirement System and by Bill Funkhouser through a written report on the IRTA read by Dave. The meeting was adjourned at 2:05 p.m.
Carolyn Broadhead Recording Secretary
February 21, 2023
Please print or make aware to potential members of the following letter composed by Ed Saracco:
Dear Retired Teacher
We hope this letter finds you in good health and enjoying your retirement. Please look over the enclosed materials before you throw them away. With COVID and all the other issues going on in the state the last few years you may not have been asked or given a choice to join IRTA. IRTA is the Illinois Retired Teachers Association and MCRTA is the Macoupin County Retired Teachers Association. The Macoupin County chapter is made of all retired teachers who taught in Macoupin County schools. Some schools have local chapters and they meet throughout the year on their own. However, in the last few years, some of the local chapters have fallen by the wayside. Dave Jokisch from Carlinville, the president of MCRTA, talked about trying to do a county-wide recruitment drive in an effort to increase our numbers by enrolling those who were never contacted. We collected a copy from IRTA of what is supposed to be the most up-to-date list of teachers who belong, and a copy of teachers who have retired in the last 15 years from each of the county school districts. If you are currently a member, we apologize for bothering you; if not, we would like you to consider joining IRTA and MCRTA. We ask you to please read the pamphlets and see how easy and cheap it is to join and protect your retirement, which is one of the main goals of the organizations .
MCRTA has 2 dinner/business meetings a year: one in May and one in October. Meeting attendance is not mandatory, but is a good chance to meet with your fellow retirees and to catch up on the latest news. MCRTA dues are currently $7.00 a year if you follow the news online (MCRTAinfo.com) and an additional $7.00 to have 2 semi-annual news mailed to you. IRTA costs $2.00 a month, and it is taken directly from you state pension. MCRTA meetings last about1½ hours and the dinner costs between $15-$20.00. Normally the meetings discuss what is going on with our retirement, with our insurance, and with anything that may be of importance to us in the state legislature. In the last few years IRTA hired lawyers to fight the state when they tried to say that our insurance (TRAIL) was not covered by the Constitution. The IRTA attorneys fought the state and won, proving that it was covered. If you’ve looked at insurance costs lately you know this was no small victory. A second battle that is still in the courts, involves the state changing our insurance from United Healthcare to AETNA this year. Another item oneveryone’s radar is that of the state trying to open the Constitution in an effort to drop our 3% cost-of-livingraise. In short, IRTA continually watches over all bills focused on retirees and education in general.
I know you might be asking why should I join if those, who already belong, are taking care of any problems? The answer is simple. Without every retired teacher’s help the state might win some day. In examining the lists I referred to in the first paragraph, I found that of retired Gillespie teachers in the last 15 years there are at least20 retirees that don’t belong to IRTA. Given that there are 8 county schools, if you do the math (8 x 20 = 160)and multiply that by 102 counties, there could be well over 16,000 retirees that do not belong. You can’t expect everyone else to protect your retirement. We are lucky that MCRTA has had 2 local representatives on the board as of late.
We urge you please join us in protecting our retirements. We look forward to seeing you at the May meeting. Once you join, you can follow the MCRTA online as I mentioned above. Still not sure? Contact a current member and ask them how important it is to join. Thank you for your time, stay safe, and God Bless.
Ed Saracco
217-835-2623
217-556-1856
esaracco4@gmail .com
Report of Breakfast Meeting with Jim Bachman on line
Update on Teacher Health Insurance Security Fund Litigation (July 2022)
Our lawsuit challenging the underfunding of the Teacher Health Insurance Security Fund is proceeding in the Circuit Court for Sangamon County. The defendants, who include the TRS Board of Trustees, the Director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, State Comptroller Susana Mendoza and State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, have answered our complaint, and they responded to our requests for discovery shortly before the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Our attorneys and expert witness will carefully analyze the data they have produced about the current fiscal status of the Fund. The answer and discovery responses have pointed to one key legal dispute in this case. The defendants acknowledge that “retired teachers have a constitutionally protected right to the benefits specified in sections 6.5 and 6.6 of the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 (5 ILCS 275/6.5, 6.6),” but they disagree that retired teachers have a constitutionally protected right “to a particular program of benefits that CMS has established under that authority at any given time.” This appears to mean that the defendants believe you have a constitutionally protected right to participate in some type of health insurance program, but not to any particular level of benefits. We strongly disagree with that argument and will continue to advocate for the full extent of your constitutional rights in this litigation.
Every 10 years, the IRTA has to renegotiate the Health Insurance program. The current Health Program (United) along with AETNA were the 2 finalists for the New Health Program with IRTA. After close scores in the evaluation process, AETNA came out slightly ahead and will be the new carrier, subject to the settlement in the above mentioned paragraph.
11/17/22 IRTA MEMBER BENEFITS
You can find information on all of IRTA’s member benefits by visiting www.irtaonline. org, logging into the Members-Only section, and clicking on the Member Benefits tab. Some of IRTA’s other benefits include Liberty Mutual, Lifeline Screening, and Hear in America. You can also contact the IRTA Office at 1.800.728.4782 for additional information. * IRTA benefit codes must be mentioned to receive discounts.