In 2010, the Illinois General Assembly created a new tier of pension benefits (tier 2), thus impacting pensions for local government employees hired after January 1, 2011. At the time, the Caucus heralded this agreed-upon change because it was viewed as a significant way to reduce long-term public safety pension costs, provide greater efficiency and investment return opportunities, and provide local tax relief. It has proven to be very impactful for local governments and now this process is being threatened by the public safety unions who want to roll back these successful reforms.
Caucus Position: The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus urges the General Assembly to maintain the current Tier 2 pension system that many of our municipalities and their public safety employees have seen positive benefits from.