SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois lawmakers know that police and fire departments have struggled to recruit and retain workers for several years. Advocates stress that many people worry about the two tier pension system in Illinois and not having enough benefits when they retire.
"We're about 12 years into this two-tiered system - a system quite frankly that our members find not fair, immoral and wrong," said Chuck Sullivan, President for the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois."
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois President Chuck Sullivan talks during a committee hearing about pension reform on September 28, 2023.
AFFI was one of several organizations speaking on behalf of first responders during a House Personnel & Pensions Committee hearing Thursday afternoon.
The payment schedule for public safety pensions is a top priority for the Illinois Municipal League as well. State law requires local governments to contribute 90% of the total actuarial liabilities by 2040. Although, IML members believe lawmakers should either decrease the ratio or extend the schedule to Fiscal Year 2050.
"Rolling back doesn't address being able to pay the contributions," said IML CEO Brad Cole. "It only increases the problem of paying the contributions. If re-amortization isn't part of that, it's a double whammy."
Organizations representing police and firefighters said every first responder should be a part of the Tier 1 pension rather than continuing the two tier system where some are left with less benefits. However, advocates noted that lawmakers should not pass any plan that picks winners and losers in terms of benefits.
"Agencies that can are cannibalizing those agency officers that they can get," explained Illinois Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Jim Kaitschuk. "If you allow for and pass additional legislation that would create the winners and exacerbate the losers, that problem is only going to get that much worse."
A separate bipartisan bill could eliminate Tier 2 pensions and ensure first responders receive the best health insurance. Sponsors said anyone serving 25 years in public safety roles could receive free insurance coverage when they retire.
Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) said law enforcement struggle keeping employees with one department. Cabello, an officer by trade, explained that his agency has lost many people to the Illinois State Police or small municipal departments.
"I don't think the costs are going to be as astronomical as people may think," Cabello said. "There's ways of getting this done to honor those men and women who put their lives on the line every day."
Lawmakers plan to continue negotiations on several pension proposals and could address the issue during the fall veto session or the 2024 spring session.
"We have big borders in Illinois and our border states are using this against us," said Andrew Bodewes on behalf of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police. "So, I think we need to stop that bleeding. I think we fundamentally need to make retirement security a part of what we're promising our young officers they will receive."
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