Unions demand fix to state pension system

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Public employee workers rallied at the Illinois State Capitol Wednesday calling for fairness in their pay and retirement benefits.

They are part of the state pension system known as Tier 2. Workers who were hired on or after January 1, 2011. They receive less and must work longer before retiring than older coworkers who were hired before that date and are considered Tier 1.

Democratic lawmakers, led by Sen. Robert Martwick, (D) Chicago and Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, (D) Oswego have introduced the Fair Retirement and Recruitment Act (HB5909/SB3988) designed to bring fairness to the pension system.

The measures seek to change the retirement age (Tier 2 workers work on average 5 years longer than Tier 1 workers); make fixes to cost of living adjustments; adjusts a pension salary cap to match the Social Security wage base.