Once again, like the sun rising over the Great Lakes, there is an opinion in the news that disrespects the hardworking people who give so much to our state. Over the past three years, my committee and I have been working on a comprehensive package to retain and attract dedicated professionals to Illinois classrooms, firehouses, and law enforcement agencies. I have engaged in ongoing conversations, held 19 public hearings, and developed a plan that addresses the challenging and complex issues facing Illinois’ pension systems.
There is no doubt that throughout industries, there is a worker shortage. According to a recent Paychex’s survey, private sector employers are increasing pay and benefits. However, when the subject turns to the needs of education, public safety and public service and the need to attract and retain workers; the Civic leaders repeat tired talking points and ignore the big picture that must be addressed. Pensions are social security, meaning unlike the private sector, state workers do not receive Federal social security.
The state’s fiscal mismanagement continues to be lost on the authors of the article. In the Special Report on Pensions, Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA); states that the FY26 normal cost of benefits for employees is approximately $2.4 Billion. However, the FY26 pension payment is $11.6 Billion to cover the deadbeat non-payment of the past state leaders, which means that the cost of benefits for current workers is only 20% of the total pension cost.
However, this payment is only 90% of the recommended payment of $16 Billion – which increases the unfunded liability by $5 Billion. In 1994, the Pension ramp was passed and underfunded pension payments which continues today. It is no surprise that in FY96 the unfunded pension liability was only $18 billion and today it is a whopping $144 Billion and growing.
Employees have always paid their fair share; the state has not. It is easy to use enlarged numbers to make a point. Our plan will basically pay for itself, bring the payment to 100% to stop the growth of the unfunded liability, give workers a respectable retirement, become competitive for employees and meet federal standards.
We must invest in retaining employees who keep our state running, not degrade their benefits while ignoring the actual crisis. Good workers can find other job opportunities than the State; we need to be competitive and have a state that is there for the people who live in Illinois.
State Representative Stephanie Kifowit has served in the IL House since 2013 and has been the Chair of Pensions Committee and current Chair of the Pensions Appropriation Committee.
For more information, please contact Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net.
—Office of State representative Stephanie Kifowit