A LETTER FROM THE RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF CHICAGOARRIVED THIS MORNING WITH THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE:ON NOVEMBER 6 ILLINOIS CITIZENS WILL VOTE TO ACCEPT ORREJECT AN AMENDMENT TO THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION THAT WILLADVERSELY AFFECT YOUR PENSION PLAN AND THOSE OF OTHERPUBLIC EMPLOYEE IN OUR STATE OF ILLINOIS.IT IS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT #49.THE RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF CHICAGO AND 16 OTHEREDUCATIONAL AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS OPPOSED THE PROPOSALIN THE SPRING 2012 SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE. STILL, IT WAS ADOPTEDBY THE HOUSE AND SENATE.INSTEAD OF A SIMPLE MAJORITY, AMENDMENT #49 WILL REQUIRE A 3/5THSMAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATURE OR OTHER BENEFIT-GRANTING ENTITYTO AWARD A BENEFIT TO ANY PUBLIC EMPLOYEE. THIS WILL MAKE ACHANGE IN OUR PENSIONS OR OTHER BENEFIT LAWS VERY DIFFICULT TOENACT…….FOREVER.THE EXACT WORDING OF THE AMENDMENT WILL BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT,BUT YOU CAN READ IT NOW WORD-FOR-WORD AT THE INTERNET SITEILGA.gov AND SEARCH FOR “CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT #49”.WE URGE YOU TO VOTE …NO… ON THE AMENDMENT AND PASS THIS MESSAGEON TO YOUR FAMILIES AND ANY FRIEND OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, TO WHICH WEHAVE DEVOTED OUR WORKING LIVES. NO TAX MONIES WERE EXPENDED TOSEND THIS MESSAGE.Signed by Steven A. Kiles, President and James Ward, Legislative Chair(Retired Teachers Association of Chicago – 1 312-939-3327).
HINT: The IRTA should do the same thing – NOW or sooner.