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* Crain’s…
The comment came on the heels of Gov. JB Pritzker signing a pension bill, easily approved by the General Assembly with a veto-proof majority, that increased retirement benefits for so-called Tier 2 police and firefighters who began work after 2011 when the state reformed how pensions are calculated.
* Tribune…
“In recognition that this particular amendment passed with a veto-proof majority, we will continue to work with the Illinois General Assembly, and our City Council members to find long-term solutions that stabilize the city’s pension funds with dedicated, progressive revenue so that Chicago’s workers can know that their retirements are secured,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office said late Friday.
* Wirepoints…
The availability of that far cheaper alternative is one reason why every major independent voice outside of Springfield said Pritzker should have vetoed the new law. The Civic Federation, Commercial Club, Better Government Association, Chicago Tribune editorial board all wanted a veto. Even Democratic Comptroller Susanna Mendoza criticized it, and Chicago Chief Financial Officer Jill Jaworski said, “This is adding to the city’s burden at literally the worst possible time,” and she called the bill an unfunded mandate foisted on the city by state lawmakers.
* OK, first of all, the bill didn’t just pass with a “veto-proof majority.” House Bill 3657 unanimously passed both chambers.
Every single Illinois Freedom Caucus member - Reps. Chris Miller, Blaine Wilhour, Adam Niemerg, Brad Halbrook, Jed Davis, David Friess and Sen. Andrew Chesney (named the “most conservative Senator in Illinois”) - voted “Yes.”
Some Republicans voted against the proposal in committee, but once a bill that benefits first responders hits the floor, it’s very difficult to vote against it, as evidenced by that roll call.
All a veto would have likely accomplished was a delay.
Maybe do a better job lobbying the Statehouse, Mr. Mayor.
* Also, the new city casino is supposed to help fund first responder pensions. The mayor really needs to get moving on this. Yes, he was handed a mess by Lori Lightfoot, but a revenue stream is out there just waiting for him.
Also, equalizing pensions was part of the deal that was cut to consolidate the local first responder pension funds.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 11:11 am
Previous Post: Tariffs Impact Everyone
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“Back the Blue”
…unless it means a pension that gives them a middle-class pension after years of hazardous service.
Wirepoints, IPI, just openly admit you’re a shill for billionaires that long for the days of feudalism.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 11:23 am
I don’t believe the Mayor was genuinely opposed to the bill. Nice way to try to foist a problem on the Governor.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 11:25 am
===“Back the Blue”===
More like “defund the police”
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 11:26 am
It does seem unfair that only first responders get this and not other Tier 2 state and local employees. It just seems like pandering.
Comment by Big Dipper Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 11:36 am
So my kid’s public school isn’t gonna be adequately funded because my state legislator thinks that all the po-po should get a lakehouse and a boat?
Comment by Make It Make.Sense Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 11:37 am
===should get a lakehouse and a boat?===
C’mon. It’s Tier Two.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 11:39 am
An insult to other state and local employees. This should not have been passed unless all other Tier 2 employees were included.
Comment by Mason County Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 11:39 am
Governors own.
Comment by Blue Dog Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 11:43 am
The Governor could have issued an AV that built in the minimum “safe harbor” provisions, and struck the other concessions to past and future pension-holders. The governor did the politically expedient thing, and not the right thing.
Comment by Garfield Ridge Guy Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 11:44 am
===The Governor could have issued an AV===
Have you ever seen a governor do that to a unanimous bill?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 11:48 am
===This should not have been passed unless all other Tier 2 employees were included. ===
Take it up with Council 31.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 12:04 pm
“Maybe do a better job lobbying the Statehouse, Mr. Mayor.”
Giving sound advice to someone that thinks he knows everything is most often pointless.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 12:04 pm
===Democratic Comptroller Susanna Mendoza criticized it===
The Comptroller’s official role involves the pension board and the state board of investment. She’s the expert on this topic.
===More like “defund the police” ===
Rich is right. The folks that are in favor of this bill aren’t thinking big picture. They presume that the money to fund additional pension costs will appear as if by magic rather than having the result of the city being required to cut existing services.
They also may not recognize that there has been some impact in how the public views the police due to some of their unnecessarily antagonistic approaches to the public over the last 5 years, never mind the history.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 12:10 pm
if JB is running for president (and he is) then he needs to build up his bona fides with the left and labor. a billionaire white guy isnt the prime demographic for left wing democrats. this vote is a good start to that. and there really is no downside for JB because it was going to pass anyway. it was unanimous!
the next step for him is winning the governor’s race and then immediately passing a tax on services. its the only way they can pay for this AND it shows his liberal voters he’s not afraid to “tax the rich.”
Comment by cube Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 12:26 pm
If the governor wanted the bill to die, it would be dead…
Comment by Endated Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 12:48 pm
Freedom Caucus yes vote on this is certainly a rare occurrence. Rich correctly points out that they wanted to support first responder benefits. More to it. Blaine Wilhour also made the comment on the floor during debate (paraphrasing) his abnormal “yes” vote on this had much to do with the sweetening of CTU Pensions ($175mil), making the point he believes CPD/CFD deserve an improvement as well. Link here to Wilhour/Kifowit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEu4S3erjVs
Comment by Moseley Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 12:51 pm
==Maybe do a better job lobbying the Statehouse, Mr. Mayor.==
Worst IGA team ever. You’d think the 5th Floor (Mayor’s Office) and 4th Floor (IGA office) would have learned by now. They havent. Not good.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 12:56 pm
If you’re under the salary cap, Tier 2 ain’t a bad deal. Chi Tier 2 cop retires earning $127K at age 55 after 20 years. That’s a pension of $63.5K per year. Pension income is not taxed by the state and now the cop can go work security somewhere on a contract. Both COLA and cap needed to be fixed, but money should have been found to pay for them.
Comment by Blazzzer Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 1:06 pm
Some animals are more equal than others.
Comment by Horace Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 1:17 pm
Show of hands. WHo declared this pack major independent voices?
The Civic Federation, Commercial Club, Better Government Association, Chicago Tribune editorial board
Comment by Annon'in Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 1:38 pm
Perhaps Republicans don’t care if Chicago has more financial problems.
Comment by cal skinner Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 2:01 pm
Lightfoot and Johnson administrations both had and have very bad records in Springfield. Both administrations couldn’t get anything done or stop any bills from passing. Hopefully the next mayor will have a better IGA team and better relationships in Springfield.
Comment by Hawthorne Sheff Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 2:06 pm
==Perhaps Republicans don’t care if Chicago has more financial problems.==
Do you not support Police and Firefighters, Cal? That’s not very conservative of you…
Comment by low level Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 2:06 pm
== equalizing pensions was part of the deal that was cut to consolidate the local first responder pension funds ==
That was very much overlooked by the media and the social media outrage machine. The Tier 2 enhancements were given to police and fire in exchange for the consolidation. (The Chicago Police and Fire unions demanded to be included or they likely would have killed the consolidation bill.) JB was holding up his end of the bargain with his signature.
Perhaps the other public employee unions can figure out something they can “give” in other to “get” Tier 2 enhancements.
Comment by TNR Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 2:09 pm
===Perhaps Republicans don’t care if Chicago===
OK, now do every single Chicago legislator who voted, including Johnson’s allies.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 2:09 pm