It seemed to some of us, members of the IEA, thought that just a week ago there was a lack of a sense of urgency in the way the IEA leadership was talking about the threat to public service worker pensions.
I think I called it a yawn.
What a difference a week makes. Now IEA chief lobbyist Jim Reed is screaming, “An attack is coming!”
Writes Reed:
It appears there will be imminent action in the next few weeks, during what is still a fairly new General Assembly. Speaker of the House Michael Madigan told the State Journal-Register this week that leaders are eyeing changes. There are no specifics yet, but lawmakers may look to changing the multiplier used to calculate the annuity, the cost of living adjustment (COLA), length of service requirements to retire, and the calculation of salary to determine the annuity.
As with the recently implemented two-tier pension legislation (Public Act 96-0889), the General Assembly could include all pension plans. But, there is speculation that legislators may go another route and pass legislation that only impacts one or two retirement systems, forcing the Illinois Supreme Court to render a decision on the issue.
Maybe this week’s Battle of Madison has changed their thinking that fighting is better than waiting. There’s no word yet on the plan to derail Madigan’s asssault on our pensions yet.
Fred Klonsky 
Should make for some interesting questioning at the RA next month, don’t you think? What kind of reaction will a request for a “seat at the table” get this year? Should be a hot one!
Wear orange if you want them to see you. Ken’s got a vision problem.
Fred,
Can’t wait to read about your day in Madison. In case you missed this article in the Nation on the betrayal of the public worker….
http://www.thenation.com/article/158647/betrayal-public-workers