Saturday, January 29, 2011

Shrinking Checks

Anyone noticed the direction gas prices are going? How about food prices? Headed north in a hurry. Now this:
  • Mayor Richard Daley's administration today unveiled a plan for police and fire pension reform that would increase employee contributions as part of a package it hopes would save Chicago property taxpayers $240 million per year compared to a bill Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law earlier this month.

    Gene Saffold, the city's chief financial officer, said the Daley administration has not spoken to state lawmakers or labor leaders about supporting the city's alternate plan. But Saffold hopes the new General Assembly will address Daley's concerns that the new pension reform law will place an onerous burden on taxpayers with a $550 million property-tax hike beginning in 2015.

    The administration's proposal would raise police officers' contribution to their pension plan from 9 percent to 12 percent between 2015 and 2018, and raise firefighters' share from 9.1 percent to 12.1 percent.
And of course, more "conditions" to avoid paying the freight they should have been paying for years ago:
  • The city's proposal also would require that the public safety pension systems be funded only to 80 percent rather than 90 percent of their total obligations, and extend the timeline to reach that benchmark from 30 years to 50 years.
This hole that Shortshanks has dug for Chicago just gets deeper every time you turn around. If he had been putting money where it belonged instead of using it to buy votes via shoddy construction, connected contracts, questionable grants and outright theft, the pensions would be in better shape and the taxpayers (which we all are) wouldn't be on the hook for billions.

That's the truly sick part - we're going to be bailing ourselves out via increased pension contributions from our checks along with property tax increases, raised fees and reduced services, which come out of our checks, too.

Labels:

158 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

No way the fop should negotiate this with the city. The city hasn't paid into the fund and has screwed the taxpayers. We already got screwed on the last contract while the other unions teachers, electricians teamsters plumbers laborers all got raises the day their old contract expired. We recieved half the raise as the other unions and were forced to wait 3 years for it. The FOP needs to step up and inform the public that Daley stole this money from the pensions and the police and fire put their money in every two weeks.

1/29/2011 12:29:00 AM  
Anonymous 29 and aday said...

nice They really suck They fucked it up and we have to fix it

FUCK YOU Daley

1/29/2011 12:32:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about Shortshanks shut the fuck up until he show one fucking teaspoonful of honesty and replace the 52 million dollars his family stole from our pension fund with (you can bet your sweet ass) his papal blessing.

1/29/2011 12:45:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

well if it means i get my pension when I retire then I will just grit my teeth and do it. its crappy all of the stuff that daley and co have done to our pension systems in the past but whining and standing here shaking our fist is not going to change that... now we have to deal with making sure we can retire with pensions...if it means weve got to dole out some more cash then i guess we have too...i dont like it but will do it if it means getting my pension.. thats the problem today with this department, way too many crybabies who sit around and cry instead of taking action.

1/29/2011 12:47:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Time to switch to a 403 plan, where we own the money we put in.

Eventually in its present form our pension plan will be taken over, when the state/city goes belly up.

1/29/2011 12:55:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is there anyway a class action lawsuit could be filed against the City and State for mishandling/stealing tax dollars? No taxation without representation? Attorneys out there? These guys get to walk away free collecting 2 ,3 or even 4 pensions? How is this fucking possible?

1/29/2011 12:57:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"...we're going to be bailing ourselves out via increased pension contributions from our checks along with property tax increases, raised fees and reduced services, which come out of our checks, too."

Hey! We're self-employed!

1/29/2011 01:03:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The city did not meet their obligations for years. They want to back out now. Contract law can be used to defeat ANYTHING they try to do, even via legislation; ex-post-facto laws are prohibited. Burn them.

1/29/2011 01:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It looks like the lame duck mayor is about to leave us with a going away gift like the lame ducks downstate did with the state income tax increase.

A 33% increase in pension contributions because the people managing the pensions have failed. They eff'd up and or course someone else has to pay for it.

1/29/2011 01:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is the same political game being played out with the FICA social security system.

This year soc. sec. will pay out $45 billion dollars more than it will take in.

Many people think that's no problem -- there's about $2.7 trillion dollars in the social security trust fund and we'll just tap into that.

Only problem is..is the money isn't there in that trust fund. The trust fund is filled with government I.O.U.'s

The money is gone, the politicians spent it on pet projects.

In order to tap that fund Washington has to sell bonds to get the money to pay the retirees and me thinks the bond holders are already asking questions about how you're gonna pay us the interest when the only people working are Wal-Mart-like workers in the USA.

1/29/2011 01:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Say good-bye to a good size chunk of your take home pay. Between state taxes, gas prices, increased pension funding, we're going to have seriously less take home pay.

1/29/2011 01:42:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The really sick part is that we have no money to pay the bills and we are borrowing money to fix a totem pole and repair a duck pond....and for this we should all not be eligible to collect retirement benefits until we're ready to drop dead.

But as Quinn waits for that decision, plan C concerns the $2.2 billion in bonds that have already been issued and paid out for road improvements, building projects and some unusual items such as repair work on a totem pole and a duck pond in a Chicago park.

1/29/2011 01:50:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This ego maniacal little man is pure hate. He's worried about his failed legacy and the economic condition he's leaving the city in. The Olympics were his last attempt at righting the ship with an open spigot of money coming in. When he lost Olympics all hope was gone.

Now he wants to clear up his financial house on the backs of first redponders.

1/29/2011 01:57:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

it hopes would save Chicago property taxpayers $240 million per year

...............


So He can steal it and spend it on flower pots!

1/29/2011 02:01:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's the truly sick part - we're going to be bailing ourselves out via increased pension contributions from our checks along with property tax increases, raised fees and reduced services, which come out of our checks, too.



and in the end we will get nothing.

1/29/2011 02:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

401k for the police you can bet on that thank fop

1/29/2011 02:29:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am not a cop but id be fucking pissed . Daley that cock sucker makes me sick . RAISING TAXES to live in this god forsaken city filled with SHITBAGZ & hoodlums.

1/29/2011 02:45:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As of 0230 hrs, 106 people have "liked" this Clout Street article. This jag of a Mayor just can't wait to stick it to us on his way out the door. In the meantime everything he does gets picked up by the media and all the hate falls on us and our HUGE pensions that are bankrupting the entire world!

Fuck that little troll Daley. He can't leave fast enough, as far as I'm concerned!

1/29/2011 02:48:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about the four Daley idiots on the pension board? Why were they asleep as our fund when into the crapper?

1/29/2011 02:53:00 AM  
Blogger Thomas J Motzny said...

Why does there need to be a tax hike and not a cut in the budget to meet this obligation? He is talking 3 to 4 years away, isn’t that enough time to cut the waste from the budget? Now he wants everyone to pay in more to the pension, pay in what the City owes and their share too! The people of Chicago need to know the pension funds are only asking for the City to pay what it owes, pay in what they should have been paying all along but, refused to contribute while the employees paid.

1/29/2011 03:28:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't get out of this shithole fast enough. I will feel bad for my brothers and sisters who can't escape as well. May God look after us all.

1/29/2011 03:29:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A vote for Rahm "deadfish" Emanuel is a vote for Daley

1/29/2011 03:57:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Section 5. Pension and Retirement Rights
Membership in any pension or retirement system of the State, any unit of local government
or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, shall be an enforceable
contractual relationship, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired.

If any thinks Rahm can change the CPD, FCD or any other Chicago employee pension without changing all other State, or Municipal employee pension. Do you think the Garbageman in Southern IL will vote to change their pension so Chicago residents can save money. Read and know the IL Constitution. Ya and Chico is going to hire 2000 CPD, with what money?

1/29/2011 04:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Notice that Saffold/Daley didn't say anything about the City proportionately increasing their contribution.

I would not mind going to 11% tomorrow if the City increased the multiplier to at least 3 or 4 and started paying it too.

1/29/2011 05:36:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Say good-bye to a good size chunk of your take home pay. Between state taxes, gas prices, increased pension funding, we're going to have seriously less take home pay.

1/29/2011 01:42:00 AM


Say hello to fuel efficient cars that you will drive for 10 years at least and cheaper living. No more new BMW's or Lexus every three years.

1/29/2011 05:39:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"We recieved half the raise as the other unions and were forced to wait 3 years for it."

1/29/2011 12:29:00 AM

___________________________________

What raise? The measly 2% that we never saw because as soon as we would've seen it on our paychecks, the state tax went up to 5%..... WHAT FREAKING RAISE!!!!! ???? ARGHHH THIS SHIT KEEPS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE !! I'M LOSING IT !!!!

1/29/2011 05:41:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

it hopes would save Chicago property taxpayers $240 million per year

...............


So He can steal it and spend it on flower pots!

1/29/2011 02:01:00 AM


Millennium Park cost at least that in overruns alone. Remember Hired Truck, O'Hare cost over runs, and graft misc. too numerous to mention.

Time to take a percentage of all TIF funds and divert those to pension funding.

And how come the Mayor gets those THREE pensions totaling more than $300,000 yearly?

1/29/2011 05:43:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
How about Shortshanks shut the fuck up until he show one fucking teaspoonful of honesty and replace the 52 million dollars his family stole from our pension fund with (you can bet your sweet ass) his papal blessing.

1/29/2011 12:45:00 AM

___________________________________


Is that all? 52 million?

Remember, THE FOP aggreed (without our knowledge and or approval) TO RELIEVE THE 20+ MILLION ALONE FROM OUR PENSION,that they (city) borrowed from us just to get the 70%(when it should've been 80% for 25 years) for 29 years and a day !
And I specifically remember being told by that then shit FOP President -Nolan at a meeting that we'll take the 70% now because it'll put us closer to the 80% we should've had at 25 years in the 1st place and here we are long into the future(present) and we're getting screwed still.

MIRIAM SANTOS WAS THE ONE LOOKING OUT FOR OUR PENSION AND SAVED US FROM DALEYS CRAP BACK THEN BUT YOU SEE HOW THAT TURNED OUT. SHE SHOULD'VE RUN FOR MAYOR DAMMIT!

THANK YOU SIR CAN I GET ANOTHER? !!!!

FUCK YOU DALEY AND ANYONE ELSE THAT HAS DONE NOTHING BUT FUCKED US !!

1/29/2011 05:59:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

well if it means i get my pension when I retire then I will just grit my teeth and do it. its crappy all of the stuff that Daley and co have done to our pension systems in the past but whining and standing here shaking our fist is not going to change that... now we have to deal with making sure we can retire with pensions...if it means we've got to dole out some more cash then i guess we have too...i don't like it but will do it if it means getting my pension.. that's the problem today with this department, way too many crybabies who sit around and cry instead of taking action.


I agree with adding more to my pension from my check. I would do it in a heart beat. But that's where the agreement stops.

Pushing the date to 50 years is beyond reason. Most of those reading this blog today will be dead by then. I thought 30 years was unreasonable.

And what guarantee to we have that the city would still contribute on a regular basis? That's what they should have been doing all along but chose not too.

For far too long, this city has treated our pension fund, along with everyone else's, like a piggy bank that's constantly raided because they did not have the fiscal restraint to either figure out a way to pay for some project or delay it. Monies that were supposed to go into our funds were diverted to help pay for some pet project (Millennium Park comes to mind) or to some spoiled nephew who thought he was a financial genius.

Daley is frantic to find some type of "legacy" to leave behind and it appears that our pension fund is it.

Pray that his play does not get approved down state.

1/29/2011 06:16:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You get what you pay for.

LAPD - 90 % pensions
NYPD - Collect pension after 20 years of service regardless of age.

The CPD pension plan will be the worst of the major departments, the best officers will go elsewhere. The City will get what it pays for.

.

1/29/2011 06:29:00 AM  
Anonymous marquette dinosaur said...

2011 01:20:00 AM

Anonymous said...
Say good-bye to a good size chunk of your take home pay. Between state taxes, gas prices, increased pension funding, we're going to have seriously less take home pay.

1/29/2011 01:42:00 AM

We'll just have to supplement our income by doing what our grand daddy's did.(tax free)

1/29/2011 06:29:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The questions that should be coming from the FOP and hopefully brought up in the media are:

What percent of their salary, is payed into retirement funds by the following:

1. Mayor
2. Alderman
3. State and Federal Senators
4. State and Federal Representatives.
5. All other lackeys they appoint

What percentage of their pay do they actually contribute to their pension?

How many years do they need to serve to collect a pension?

What percentage of their pay do they collect upon retirement?

What age can they start to collect?

How well funded is their pensions?

How many different pensions are they allowed to collect from the state, city or county?

This information should be in the next FOP news letter. I'm not interested in what is on clearance at the FOP gift shop or the trip to Santa's Village....

1/29/2011 06:45:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The next thing to worry about is Deferred Comp.

Are our Deferred accounts considered an asset of the city in the event of bankruptcy? I have asked this question to knowledgable people several times and have received the following answers...Yes,No,Maybe.

We really need to find out about this. Orange County, Ca. went BK and the employees deferred accounts were considered an asset. They received pennies on the dollar. I have been told that the law has had additional safeguards added since then. This is something I've feared since about 1997 or so when I became conviced that the Daley/Outfit endgame for Chicago is bankruptcy.

FOP,PBPA....please address this.

1/29/2011 06:45:00 AM  
Anonymous tired taxpayer said...

Reading through the comments here - some of you are naive. It's ALL contract law - they can't get out of it.

Look around you. Private sector companies have been changing things around for years AND if the state decides to somehow declare bankruptcy ALL contracts are null and void.

That's why the union didn't want GM to go bankrupt because all their sweet contracts would go down the toilet.

Better wake up and smell the coffee - NOTHING is bulletproof including your contract.

Welcome to the lousy economy that the taxpayers have been experiencing with THEIR jobs.

Be glad no one is asking you to take a 20% cut.

1/29/2011 07:21:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mandatory retirement age must be raised to at least 65. If the state raises taxes 2% and Daley reform raises our contribution towards our pension 2%, how far backwards do you want bend? And if your tired of seeing your deferred comp evaporate every 5th quarter, go fixed. Fuck um.

1/29/2011 07:26:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No matter what these daley jagoffs do we will take it. We are useless to ourselves but bust our ass to make that 1 bag dope arrest.

If you are young on this job....get a second career started. This city is going to totally screw you over. They wont and havent got a damn thing out of me work wise in many years. Its not because I am lazy. Why the fuck should I? Whats in it for me? I answer my calls and do what I am supposed to by GO. They call me into the office about my activity and I just look at them and laugh.

1/29/2011 07:50:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just remember what happened in Russia 20 years ago.

After defeating communism, we sent a gang of hedge fund managers and state sponsored crony capitalists over there to ass rape the Russian people.

Pensioners marching in streets after their checks were cut as part of the US/IMF austerity driven shock introduction to "free markets". Free markets my ass. Yeltsin sold his nation to Wall Street. Thats why Putin is so popular, restoring the nations honor.

The looting of what was left after 70 years of communism by our sharpies made them realize they could do it here.

Bubble economies, massive illegal immigration, off shoring jobs, etc....how could this end otherwise?

We'll have to pay more to preserve our pension benefits, but never forget how this happened and hate your rulers.

1/29/2011 07:59:00 AM  
Anonymous Bluedude said...

I know we're not in Florida, however. Florida Police pay into their pensions when the work side jobs. There, if a bar, restaurant, Home Depot or and OTHER type of side job is available, it gets posted in the station where the Cops pick and choose when and where they want to work. You can work any bar/restaurant/warehouse...whatever. You're in uniform but they all work LOTS of sidejobs. And...you would pay a higher amount into your pension but the Cops don't mind because it benefits YOU directly.

1/29/2011 08:00:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm trying to accept the fact that this is just going to be the reality and am trying to do more with less. Unless I really, really need something, there is no extraneous buying. Not even an extra M & M. I'm thinking I might be eating cat food in my retirement years.

1/29/2011 08:14:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

way too many crybabies who sit around and cry instead of taking action.

can i get an AMEN my brother... and gets worse every year... sgut up until you earn a stripe and vote at the polls and for the union elections... lets not forget, the city isn't worried about us as a voting block... yet they bend over backwords for the REVS and GAYS....power of the vote my friends

1/29/2011 08:19:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thomas J Motzny said...
Why does there need to be a tax hike and not a cut in the budget to meet this obligation? He is talking 3 to 4 years away, isn’t that enough time to cut the waste from the budget? Now he wants everyone to pay in more to the pension, pay in what the City owes and their share too! The people of Chicago need to know the pension funds are only asking for the City to pay what it owes, pay in what they should have been paying all along but, refused to contribute while the employees paid.

1/29/2011 03:28:00 AM


What I want to know is:
***WHY HASN'T OUR UNION AND PENSION REPS been screaming about this since day one, when the Daley Crime Family started using our pensions as a scapegoat to keep everyone from asking where the money REALLY went???

***WHY isn't it pointed out that Daley's nephew stole MILLION$ from our pension fund??? (Did our Reps GIVE the money to him?)

***WHY doesn't FOP EVER seem to be trying to defend us in the media??? (Will that interfere with Marky-Mark getting a big job after his term is up?)

1/29/2011 08:19:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

He should bring up 3 things during this argument:
He hasn't paid into the funds.
His nephew stole some of the funds with the approval of Daley's pension board members.(Daley, his nephew, and the pension board members should all be indicted.)
The police department generates revenue that should have been used to help fund the pensions.

1/29/2011 08:33:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just think if we had no pension and I used all the money I put in that shit fund to buy Gold, I would be rich right now. If a regular Joe P.O. like me can see that who the fuck is doing the investing for our fund.

1/29/2011 08:33:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Say good-bye to a good size chunk of your take home pay. Between state taxes, gas prices, increased pension funding, we're going to have seriously less take home pay.

1/29/2011 01:42:00 AM


So, if we pay 33% more into the pension (from 9 % up to 12 %) isn't that going to mean that the state AND Federal governments will collect LESS from us, since we can write off the amount we pay into our pension?

So isn't the Daley Crime Family's solution a way to cover-up the shortfalls in their payments into the pensions while at the same time screwing us, the State and the IRS out of our money?

I wish to God there could be a forensic audit done within a few months of Daley leaving office so we could jail the thieving little bastard for the rest of his life for what he has stolen and done to this city and all of its citizens.

I know one candidate mentioned a forensic audit at one point but I'm sure it would never occur. The remaining thieves and Madigan/Burke Crime Families won't allow THAT to happen!

1/29/2011 08:40:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And remember to keep voting democratic machine politicians in......OShea, Emanuel, Obama.........get out and vote.

1/29/2011 08:44:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

well if it means i get my pension when I retire then I will just grit my teeth and do it. its crappy all of the stuff that daley and co have done to our pension systems in the past but whining and standing here shaking our fist is not going to change that... now we have to deal with making sure we can retire with pensions...if it means weve got to dole out some more cash then i guess we have too...i dont like it but will do it if it means getting my pension.. thats the problem today with this department, way too many crybabies who sit around and cry instead of taking action.

1/29/2011 12:47:00 AM

While I agree with your thoughts, I'd like to point out that you aren't exactly "taking action". You are bending over, spreading your cheeks and saying, "have your way with my, Big Boy!"

1/29/2011 09:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm so angry I am at a loss. The feelings of frustration grow every day on this job. I just can't believe the media allows US to be made in to the bad guys on this topic. Shameful.

1/29/2011 09:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We've BEEN paying, and the fund is messed up. We should not we pay MORE until Daley shows some good faith.

1/29/2011 09:11:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about a ballot initiative that no elected person gets a pension. No matter how long they serve cause the longer they serve the more they stole from the taxpayers. The politicians screwed up the pension funds not us. Screw them and take their pensions away. Maybe the theives would quit and honest people with integrity would run for office.

1/29/2011 09:19:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sure, screw the Police and Firemen, but don't even THINK about cutting the programs the useless-to-society leeches get.

What kind of a world is this?

1/29/2011 09:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well said ... This is his mess (Daley), he knew this time would come!

1/29/2011 09:25:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

http://coalitionoftheswilling.net/?p=11921%3Fbctid%3D763052194001

Here is a video of the Governer of New Jersey responding to a cop complaining his raise is only 4 dollars more in his paycheck after he has to pay for his healthcare. Bottom line, I dont think we will garner much sympathy from the public. We are the new evil hedge fund managers (undeservedly).
The funny thing is, the policticains will soon realize even after they restructure our pensions, the budget holes will not be filled until they address the entitlements and feel good programs that do nothing. Those will be the last touched, if at all.

1/29/2011 09:39:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

next our pension contributions will increase 2 % , state police pay 12%

1/29/2011 09:40:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To: 12:47
Fine keep bending over and take it in the ass! Today its 3% more, tomorrow another 3%, and the next time another 3%. Remember your medical expenses? Just 2 dollars! Its the people who think like you that the city relies on to keep screwing you over. Step aside, shut up and let the masses fight this corruption.

1/29/2011 09:40:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who the hell would buy your overpriced piece of crap in chicago.

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2011/0214/real-estate-bankruptcy-taxes-pensions-cities-on-brink.html

1/29/2011 09:53:00 AM  
Blogger TWENTY and OUT said...

The truth is this: we all (police and fire) must live in the Shitty of Shitcago. If there is a property tax increase all of the people in the city will be footing the bill. An increase in OUR contributions means only WE foot the bill. Also, Daley likes to throw around huge numbers 550 MILLION!!! Well Dick, what does that break down to? Give me a per household number. There's roughly 60 single family homes on each city block. So using google lets look at 1 small area, Diversey to Belmont, Austin to Central. There are 7 streets which run North to South and 3 streets which run East to West. There are 27 "blocks" of homes. That's 1620 homes give or take. Expand that. Go Diversey to Irving Park and Central to Narragansett.
That's 1620 x 6 = 9,720. A $10 property tax increase raises almost $100,000. That area is just a speck in the entire city. Go from Chicago to Montrose, Cicero to Narragansett and the number of properties
increases to 58,320.(36 x 1620) or $580,320 Daley's property tax increase threat is to just get stupid people that cant do math upset with police officers and firemen. Go ahead Dick, raise the property taxes $10 and I'll keep the 3% of my paycheck.
DALEY YOU ARE AN ASSHOLE!!!!!

1/29/2011 10:00:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's otay with me! I can count on the westside Irish "johnny come lately's" to Edison Park who voted away more of my earnings when they marked their ballots for favorite son and fellow piss pot John Mulroe-the deciding vote for the state income tax increase! Man are these people stupid.

1/29/2011 10:08:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Didn't the FOP already forgive the city some payments a few years ago?
Also, the public should note that WE pay almost 10% of our checks into our pension fund, our part has kept up, its Daley and the 50 thieves who have shorted the funds, not us.

1/29/2011 10:09:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WTF is this? There's no mention of the City increasing their contributions. Hell the city hasn't even been paying their share and that's a huge part of this problem. Now we should just help out the city why? Because they've always had our best interests at heart right? The FOP better fight tooth and nail against this. The only way I'd agree to an additional 3% would be if the city matched it, really matched it, and we would be digging out of this hole sooner rather than later. But the city wants to change the terms from 90% solvent in 30 years to 80% in 50 years.
Are they smoking crack?

Also the Rahmfather has clearly stated he'd like to reduce our pensions. So Rahm wants us to have a lesser pension and the current administration wants us to start contributing 3% more to a pension that Rahm wants to reduce for us??

FOP we need some type of press release telling the public the real truths behind this. All they're getting is the perfectly spun city's take on things that's released frequently to the media.

1/29/2011 10:18:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Once you let the city in you open pandora's box, they will keep coming for more.

1/29/2011 10:30:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Let it go to contract time, I'll agree to it if they lift residencey and I could move to Indiana. I'll save that in taxes alone.

1/29/2011 10:35:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just say no!!!!!

1/29/2011 10:36:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WTF! As the elected go on and get 2,3,4,5 pensions we are stuck with the thievery that has been going on for years! Stop the "gold braid pensions" it would save us hundreds of millions,stop more than 1 pension why not??

1/29/2011 10:43:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Check out the WGN TV poll last night. The question was, "Do you think Chicago Police Officers and Firemen should have to increase their pension contributions?"

59.5% Voted NO

41.5% Voted YES

Of course WGN didn't put the results up at the end of the news like they usually do. Probably cause they were shocked at the amount of No Votes and were hoping it would all be yes votes to screw the police and fire. Interesting that many may be educated that Mayor Daley and his crew stole from the pension and the police and fire had nothing to do with the pension destruction.

1/29/2011 10:57:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not only will I piss on his grave I'm going to make sure I eat 3 chili cheese hotdogs with the works right before I go to this humpty dumpty's grave site.

1/29/2011 10:57:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And when will this end??? Will they come back to the union in 10 years and say we want 15%?? I ask you why this issue would come up for a lame duck mayor? Answer....Rahm wants the trial ballooon floated so when we say no he hammers us.....

1/29/2011 11:00:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So the greedy Ford workers each are to get an avg. 5000.00 bonus this year. Can we demand a change in their contract. We dont get a bonus for keeping the crime rate down with the incrediblely low manpower shortage. So why should they. Oh, thats right we get our 2-3 percent raise every year even if the economy is booming and everyone is making tons of money. I wonder if the newspaper editorial boards will be going crazy with this miscarriage of justice. Yeah right. I am being facetious. Hard work should be rewarded. Its the American way. So good for u Ford workers. Now leave our pensions alone....

1/29/2011 11:01:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks Daley one last kick to the back bone of the city before you go. Stay Classy

1/29/2011 11:04:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Daley's stole $60 million and the FOP forgave the city $25 million. Why aren't the papers repoting this! The Daley's are Crooks. Every single one of the Daley's should be indicted. The FBI needs to start doing some work for a change.

1/29/2011 11:05:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

FOP does this they are out for sure!

1/29/2011 11:08:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

...if it means weve got to dole out some more cash then i guess we have too...i dont like it but will do it if it means getting my pension.. thats the problem today with this department, way too many crybabies who sit around and cry instead of taking action.

______________________________

In your case "action" seems to mean "bend over and take it".

1/29/2011 11:16:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's the truly sick part - we're going to be bailing ourselves out via increased pension contributions from our checks along with property tax increases, raised fees and reduced services, which come out of our checks, too

and in the end we will get nothing.
_________________________
Oh, we'll be getting something in the "end" alright!

1/29/2011 11:17:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As your beloved Mayor I want to assure you that my gigantic pensions won't be affected

Richard II

1/29/2011 11:21:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

...i dont like it but will do it if it means getting my pension.. thats the problem today with this department, way too many crybabies who sit around and cry instead of taking action.

1/29/2011 12:47:00 AM

If, by do something, you mean bending over and taking it like you recommend...by all means, you bend over.

This dirty thieving Mayor, his family and cronies have looted the City treasury and are heading out. The next batch of anointed thieves will throw their hands up and say "Ooops, we have a mess and you taxpayers have to start tightening your home budgets. We need more of your money"

Expose these bastards. We have coppers everywhere that know the dark secrets of this Administration. Start making some phone calls. He is after YOUR family's money.

Getting screwed after decades of work for the citizens of this City would hurt a little less if some of these crooks went to jail.

1/29/2011 11:22:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

401k for the police you can bet on that thank fop

1/29/2011 02:29:00 AM

This is the problem with us. You sit on a blog and say thanks FOP, when the fact is that this is the responsibility of the Pension Board and the trustees that sit on it and have sat on it. It snowed today. Thanks Fop

1/29/2011 11:29:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here is another issue to watch. The states are threatening bankruptcy. This is a bullshit scare tactic to get us to give up more than we have to. Yes we will probably have to contribute more and those being hired now will be subject to drastic changes. If the states declare bankruptcay the Feds will basically take over the states and the states do not want that. Also state pension from judges to professors will be cut. Watch how fast the liberals in these professions call for welfare and aid to illegals to be cut when it suddenly impacts their lives.

1/29/2011 11:35:00 AM  
Anonymous KMA Since 1999 said...

To 12:55 am. You already have a 457 plan. You can put approximately 15 grand a year in it tax deferred. When it was first offered around 1982 I started investing in it(small amount per payday). My wife did the same in hwr 401k at her place of employment. With these earnings, coupled with learning about market investing I retired in 1999 with approximately one million in stocks,bond and cash. You can do it too.

1/29/2011 11:46:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ALL DEMOCRATS ARE COMMUNISTS SAYS:

Tis is what happens when people vote in a €ommie for president. Time to right the wrong in 2012. We are fucked until then.

1/29/2011 11:47:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ya and Chico is going to hire 2000 CPD, with what money?

1/29/2011 04:07:00 AM
Chico wants to rebuild the budget from the ground up and eliminate bullshit instead of stacking up shit on top of shit. Chico wants to find the money instead of just borrowing it or hoping for grants from Obongo. You would know this if you read a paper, but instead u will continue to be lemming and vote for Rahm and Quinn. Thanks jagoff.

1/29/2011 11:55:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

it hopes would save Chicago property taxpayers $240 million per year

but at least the 410,000 cps students will get their free breakfast every morning. never ends!

1/29/2011 12:08:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

how much was spent on the stupid Olympic bid that the tax payers did not want in the first place?

How much did it cost the tax payers in Chicago every time Daley and his crew got on a plane to wine and dine?

Thanks Daley, burn in hell you bastard!!!!!!!!

1/29/2011 12:23:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Forensic audit

1/29/2011 12:24:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I say a vote for Chico is the way to go. I believe Rahm will continue the coverup at City Hall to protect Daley and his whole family. I think Chico will shed some light on the mismangement of the Daley administration which could possibly lead to an investigation. I would love to see Daley go down the tubes.

1/29/2011 12:45:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OT:

WDRV has a FOP Lodge 7 commercial pushing the Importance of making sure the next Mayor knows that more Cops need to be hired. (No shit, like for sure dude.)


My question;

Why the Fuck wasn't the Lodge doing this shit 5 and 10 years ago?

1/29/2011 01:03:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What about some of the funds of the Illinois Lottery could be used?

1/29/2011 01:06:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Too bad no republicans are running for mayor (are there?)

they could have a chance.

DON'T VOTE FOR RAHM. TELL YOUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.

1/29/2011 01:09:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

A vote for Rahm "deadfish" Emanuel is a vote for Daley

1/29/2011 03:57:00 AM

-----------------------------------

Amen to that. The insider miscreants have been putting up Rahm newspaper stories right by our overtime list, and swipe in/out clock. The crappy cronies claim it isn't political because it came out of the newspaper. Funny that they never clip out Chico, Mosely Braun, or DelValle newspaper articles.

When the anointed one was taken off the ballot, the higher ups disappeared into a series of "high level meetings."

Make no mistake, it will be the same old song and dance if Hollywood Rahm and his ilk get in. In all probability, it will be far worse.

1/29/2011 01:23:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

1. To change the 2-1 formula the State Constitution has to be changed.

2. Daley is now a lame duck, he needed to pass the trailer bill before the new session in Springfield was seated.

3. Daley asked Quinn not to sign the revised pension bill that requires the city to start catching up by 2015. Quinn signed it. That is a sign of the times that 42 short and cubby is a lame duck.

4. Look for the COLA to pass but at the expense of the gold braid pensions. Everyone will retire at their civil service rank. No more Daley civilians getting police pensions either. This one will take some work. Will get the COLA if we can save the money elsewhere otherwise it will not happen.

5. If you did not know the above you should be going to meetings. Signing the book and leaving is not going to a meeting.

No one elected me to anything by the way, I went to meetings when I hit 25 years because I was sick of getting shit second hand. 95% of all rumors are BS. I’m leaving 15 Nov with 34 years so TRP will no longer stand for The Revolver Police but will become The Retired Police.

But if you do not go out and vote and get every family member, friend, relative and neighbor to vote you have no one to blame when we get stuck with 38 extra short.

TRP

1/29/2011 01:26:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A vote for Rahm "deadfish" Emanuel is a vote for Daley

No Vote Chico he is the Daley / Burke insider and backed by the machine

Carol is Crazy %$$#@&*!

Miguel sounded the best at the WGN debate He gets my vote
He will change stuff and with support cpd

1/29/2011 01:53:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

MIGUEL del VALLE Will win and save the city. Watch it will be a stunning upset of the Clouted.
Miguel from the people for the people. He can work well with the state and has the patronage army from clerk's office. nice guy too- M2 Bridgeporter Who is tired of the same

1/29/2011 01:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

crybabies ?
I agree with you that we need to fix the pension mess BUT...
don't you think it would be nice if the parties responsible, daley inc., were held accountable ?
the theft of money from our pension fund needs to be addressed and as you can see from the il supreme ct ruleing, we can expect no assistance from the criminal justice system.

1/29/2011 01:58:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
well if it means i get my pension when I retire then I will just grit my teeth and do it. its crappy all of the stuff that daley and co have done to our pension systems in the past but whining and standing here shaking our fist is not going to change that... now we have to deal with making sure we can retire with pensions...if it means weve got to dole out some more cash then i guess we have too...i dont like it but will do it if it means getting my pension.. thats the problem today with this department, way too many crybabies who sit around and cry instead of taking action.

1/29/2011 12:47:00 AM

And what action are you taking? Let me just put in more so i get it when i retire....yeah, you're just as bad as that thief Daley. Here, let me give you more money to piss away on an olympic pipe dream...let me give you more to let your family use on bullshit, guaranteed to lose real estate schemes...let me give you more so you can give it away ....
You sir are an asshat!!!!!!

1/29/2011 02:05:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

These fooking politicians really screwed us all. I will never understand why they were allowed to get away with this nonsense for so many years and no one did a thing about it.

1/29/2011 02:09:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So many fools comment on the pension when they have no fucking clue what they are talking about.

The city has never missed a pension payment. Not one, not ever.

The problem is that pension payments are currently based on 1980 salaries, which averaged about 37k. The employee 9% contribution along with the current city contribution was enough to fully fund the pension. Fast forward to today. Now salaries average about 75k. While 9% was enough to fund a pension based on 1980 salaries, 9% of a 75k salary is not enough to fund a pension for a 75k salary. Add to this the gross number of gold star pensions, perhaps 10 times as many as there were in 1980; forced retirement at 63; and, health care incentives for retirement at 55, and you have a huge pension problem.

The question isn't should we pay more. The question is what needs to be paid to properly fund the pension.

The city is asking for 3% more because they think they can get it, but what increased contribution is the city offering in exchange for our 3%? What changes to the grotesque number of gold stars and directors is the city offering to ease the burden on the pension? Has the city done an actuarial study to determine just how underfunded the pension is and just how much has to be added to the fund every month?

Instead of reverting into an ignorant bitch fest, shouldn't the FOP PUBLICLY ask the city to answer the real questions? I'll agree to contribute more only if I know that we are actually funding the pension and not just pushing the pension's bankruptcy further into the future.

1/29/2011 02:10:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Illinois stte legislature can and will change your pension going forward: higher contribution from you , less benefits when you retire and you will have to wait longer. Each fund stands on its own and can be altered seperately. The FOP states they want to negotiate this, but I am not sure sure that they have any standing in this matter. It will be interesting in how this plays out. It could end up in court. And, you want the FOP to complaint to the public? Really? Do you think they care? People have been out of work, no raises, no pensions, losses in the stock market, a very bad recession, not good ecotnomic times. Good luck in that.

1/29/2011 02:19:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

With all due respect for the tireless service of the FOP's members--frankly, this is what happens when politicians buy your endorsement for promises that they'll pay you down the road.

1/29/2011 02:23:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

why does the media ognore the fact that the city did not live up to their contributions over the years? I'm so tired of the media feeding into the frenzy that we (CPD and CFD) are all walking away rich when we retire. Most of us are going to be regular schmoes like any civilian with a pension. Also, thanks to that crook Rostenkowski, none of us will be able to collect full SS, even if we had paid into it. I myself, starting this job in my late 20's had already paid full credits into SS by working full time when I got out of college, not to mention all the part-time jobs I held in high school and college. We will only get a speckle of what should have been due to us......

Fast forward to SS now. I went in there the other day with my AMERICAN BORN friend who is applying for disability.... due to a stroke that has left him partially paralyzed...someone in their late 50's who has fulfilled over and beyond their SS contributions over the years. Let me tell you, he was the MINORITY in there with every nationality in there talking anything but ENGLISH.
An asian family with 3 kids running around, a bunch of women with burkas, spanish speakers and polish speakers and other languages I didn't even recognized.....ALL in there for Social Security benefits.....and I'm thinking what the f*ck????How do you claim social security benefits when you don't even speak English....makes me wonder how long each and every one has been in this country contributing to Social Security system......
I'm telling you now...think about this next time you go to the polls to vote....and ask yourself what this politician is doing for the Americans? Why are we dolling out social security benefits to every foreigner who steps foot in this country? Why is it so easy for them to start digging into the SS funds??? If changes aren't made, the funds will dwindle a lot faster than what they are predicting......EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD BE CONCERNED

1/29/2011 02:34:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey liberal media, what kind of pension will Daley walk away with?
Wasn't he a cook county ASA? That entitles him to a county pension.
How about his city pension after he leaves as mayor and with this city in millions upon millions in default? How much? Please report this since you are so much into the hate that the first responders are supposed to get.

Let's not stop there....how many pensions is Rahm going to get into his pocket? Didn't he work the the city at one time? Is he already getting some sort of city pension? How about the time he worked as a congressman, then for Clinton and then for BO? How much does he get with that? Please make this front page news before you spew Rahm's plans on taking away from the city workers.....

1/29/2011 02:38:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This ego maniacal little man is pure hate. He's worried about his failed legacy and the economic condition he's leaving the city in. The Olympics were his last attempt at righting the ship with an open spigot of money coming in. When he lost Olympics all hope was gone.

Now he wants to clear up his financial house on the backs of first redponders.

1/29/2011 01:57:00 AM

Well said.

1/29/2011 02:40:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

does anyone have any info on whats the best solution. 30 and out so they dont take 3% more. i have 28 years. any good financial adviser out there?

1/29/2011 02:49:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'll pay the extra 3% but come retirement time I want 90% of my salary. The media always manages to leave the part out that we are working for 70% at retirement.

1/29/2011 02:51:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think people are under the assumption that the lowley police officer gets rich off the pension. This couldn't be further from the truth. I will say, that under Daley's clout and corruption polices some do get fat pensions(gold braid) including the aldermen and other politicians, but for the patrolmen it's not a whole lot of money. We put in 9% every pay check and we do not get social security.

The pension would be solid if Daley did not borrow from it and met his obigations like he was supposed to. People need to start putting the blame on the politicians because the police and firemen have nothing to do with what happened to the pension. We all put in and that's it. Ask Daley, Rahm, the aldermen etc. etc. how much they will get in pension money. SNAKES!!!

1/29/2011 02:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ya and Chico is going to hire 2000 CPD, with what money?

1/29/2011 04:07:00 AM

Duh the money is already there, The police budget hasn t changed.. we re still budgeted for 13,500 coppers. Why doesn t the FOP right the newspaper and ask where the money for 2,500 coppers went. Daley has no problem having the newspaper right about our pensions every day. F$cking FOP has been in bed w/ the city for yrs.

1/29/2011 03:23:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Florida lawmakers see big savings in state-worker pension cuts

Prepare thyself. You can certainly see what is headed our way with public pensions. Florida is just another example.

Employee pensions and the social security money sitting around was just too tempting to not tap into.

The politicians just had to find a way to get their hands on it. They did. They were further rewarded with campaign contribution and re-elections. Now it's time to used the crisis that they created for even more.

Hey, we'll bankrupt everything take it or leave it. Can't you just hear it already?

Don't think that agreeing to a new pension plan where only the "new guys" will be getting lower pensions benefits isn't going to come back to bite you either.

Once that plan is established they can then force all the employees with seniority working on the older, more costly plan out the door to save money.

It may take awhile to do. I would suspect that you want to have a sizable staff of newer workers on the new pension plan that would be less willing to strike before the old plan workers are targeted.

One way or another these lying ***** are going to chip away your compensation.

They will not let the crisis go to waste -- they spent too much time creating the crisis to protect their jobs and build their family empires.

Anyways...What are we about three weeks away from the coronation of the new mayor?

1/29/2011 03:30:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This from someone who will be getting 3 pensions

1/29/2011 03:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Looks like we have to jump on Braun wagon. I know she is horrible but Chico won't get the black vote. Braun will be a one term mayor and if we lose nothing and the economy comes back they can't use this CRISIS to fuck with our pensions. Braun is bad, but I would take a weak Hitler over a strong Stalin.

1/29/2011 03:50:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The city should cut the number of alderman in half from 50 to 25.

That's what you do for starters to save money and fund the pensions.

Corporations call it attrition and when you do not have the cash flow to fund the number of employees on the payroll you let the ones that want to leave, leave and you do not replace them.

That's attrition.

You take the wards and remapped them. Since we are always told that we are all in this together..everyone has to do more take on more work, put in a few more hours and sacrifice like everyone else is sacrificing.

How about the alderman making some sacrifices eh?! Yeah it's time. It's past due.

Now is the time to do it. Don't let the crisis go to waste. Eleven alderman are retiring don't refill those spots.

Start with the royalty alderman that believe they need huge security details and put those body guards and driver positions they have back on the streets on the south and west side were they belong and are desperately needed.

Close down those ward offices as well. We can't afford them stop the shell games with the taxpayers.

Stop the borrowing from the future at all of our expense. The city will do just fine with 25 alderman or less. Let's make it happen!

1/29/2011 04:01:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Are our Deferred accounts considered an asset of the city in the event of bankruptcy? I have asked this question to knowledgable people several times and have received the following answers...Yes,No,Maybe.

****************************

Yeah, that article has people panicking.


If your deferred comp account was housed, managed and an asset of the City of Chicago you'd be in trouble as they'd have stolen that years ago.

Your money is deposited in an account that is not an asset of the City but a separate account held by a third party independent investment company that is not owned or operated by the city.

This deferred comp account is no different than if you deposited your money into any other privately held retirement account that you opened with an independent company yourself. The only difference is that a kickback is given to the city of Chicago for depositing the money electronically into an account held between you and NRS.

The city merely skims an "adminstrative profit" from kickbacks from NRS.

Your deferred comp account is NOT an asset of the city, it's NOT adminstered through any accounts opened or belonging to the city and it's not available for them to touch.

Call NRS and speak to someone in management, read your contract that you signed when you opened your account. That is a legally binding contract and if the city were the second party to NRS rather than you, it would have to be shown in that contract and it's not. Failing to indicate this information in the contract would put NRS at high risk of being sued out of business.

Check out the company and decide for yourself whether you think Daley owns the company or not.

1/29/2011 04:01:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Here is another issue to watch. The states are threatening bankruptcy. This is a bullshit scare tactic to get us to give up more than we have to. Yes we will probably have to contribute more and those being hired now will be subject to drastic changes. If the states declare bankruptcay the Feds will basically take over the states and the states do not want that. Also state pension from judges to professors will be cut. Watch how fast the liberals in these professions call for welfare and aid to illegals to be cut when it suddenly impacts their lives."

1/29/2011 11:35:00 AM

One less thing to worry about...
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., says states should not to look to Washington to solve their financial problems.

"There will not be a federal bailout of the states," Cantor told reporters, The Wall Street Journal said Monday.

He also said he opposes the idea of giving states the ability to declare bankruptcy to wipe the financial slate clean, the newspaper reported. Some conservatives would like to see that option available so states can lighten their obligations for retirement and healthcare benefits for state workers.

Cantor said he doesn't see the need for state bankruptcy provisions to "stave off some kind of federal bailout," The Hill said.

"I don't think that that is necessary, because state governments have at their disposal the requisite tools to address their fiscal ills," Cantor said. "States can deal with this and have the ability to do so on their own."

1/29/2011 04:19:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I say a vote for Chico is the way to go. I believe Rahm will continue the coverup at City Hall to protect Daley and his whole family. I think Chico will shed some light on the mismangement of the Daley administration which could possibly lead to an investigation. I would love to see Daley go down the tubes
---Then Vote For Miguel del Valle he is a clear change. I predict an upset the likes of Jane Byrne

1/29/2011 04:21:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

next our pension contributions will increase 2 % , state police pay 12%

1/29/2011 09:40:00 AM


Florida law enforcement & fire pay 0%, Nothing, dada, zero, zilch, nothing.

And they max out at 80% They have no members of the Daley family down there, big difference.

1/29/2011 04:22:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Where was the concern when it was contract time? All of you youngsters were worried about the chump change "retro". FOP forgiving pension contributions in past contracts.

1/29/2011 04:25:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

MY Anger is an FLOP I voted against AlL Current FLOP Trustees and Officers
F EM THEY F ED ME. If we had a strong union we woudlnt get just the same ol BS

1/29/2011 04:26:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My father is 86 and a retired Detroit Firefighter. The retirees are such a tight unit that they have been able to stave off any reductions in their pensions. I don't know how they do it, I wish I did. And God Bless my Dad, he retired at 47 and still shoots in the 90's in golf. And has been on a steady diet of Pepsi (now diet), Burger King and White Castle's for as long as I can remember. GO POP!

1/29/2011 04:37:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

does anybody wonder.....why the citizens in general, and Chicago in particular, just can't seem to get any politicians in office with honesty and integrity, folks who will act for the working people and not the connected?

1/29/2011 04:57:00 PM  
Anonymous The Box Chevy Phantom said...

Just a question...

Why is city hall trying to fuck over a BUNCH of people who have the tools in their posession to effect an immediate course correction by force should it become necessary?

(Rhetorically speaking?)

This is all about them mounting a media campaign to turn the public against The Police in order for it to be easy for them to totally wash their hands of us and their agreement to fully fund our pension and honor in good faith our labor contract.

"Where are the Police and what are they going to do?"

Daley Inc. are counting on The Police to "play by the rules" and not react "badly" to repeated attempts to destroy their livelihoods.

We have often said that the dogs on the streets and politicians are very dependent upon The Police being "civilized" and adhering to rules of conduct whereas dogs on the streets and politicians have no obligation whatsoever (just ask them) to abide by any rules.

"We get to fuck your lives up but you can't retaliate in kind to protect yourselves. Now stay in your lane and continue to believe in fair play, justice, good faith and due process. We'll destroy your lives and you won't so much as strik a blow or fire a shot in your own defense and that's how we want it."

Perhaps The Police need to "demonstrate" like the pissed off people in the Middle East?

We've honorably fulfilled our every obligation.

Daley Inc. has reneged, welshed, back-tracked, stalled and stymied on every possible promise and agreement except honoring the 1st and 16th of the month.

Whither The Police?

Has the City of Chicago and those who inhabit it finally determined that CPD is irrelevant and the causative of all ills and evils and acting accordingly?

Well now...

If that is the case, then those 460 plus Stars enshrined at 3510 mean absolutely nothing?

The sacrifices of blood, sweat, tears and years off your life mean nothing?

Is this why, that during this current season, people are openly telling Police Officers on duty and in uniform, "Fuck you and your pension?"

Would we be wrong to understand that this statement translates to "Fuck you, fuck your families, fuck your dreams and aspirations and fuck your cares and concerns?"

Well now!

That clears up a whole lot, doesn't it?

1/29/2011 05:18:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Looks like we have to jump on Braun wagon. I know she is horrible but Chico won't get the black vote. Braun will be a one term mayor and if we lose nothing and the economy comes back they can't use this CRISIS to fuck with our pensions. Braun is bad, but I would take a weak Hitler over a strong Stalin.

1/29/2011 03:50:00 PM



thank you, david asskillrod, for your sage advice.


now, bite yourself.

1/29/2011 05:33:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

1/29/2011 03:30:00 PM



off with their heads.


and, then, let them eat cake.

1/29/2011 05:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD BE CONCERNED

1/29/2011 02:34:00 PM



every true American should be running out of ammo by now.

1/29/2011 05:37:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I will never understand why they were allowed to get away with this nonsense for so many years and no one did a thing about it.

1/29/2011 02:09:00 PM



look into a mirror and say hello to mister no one.

1/29/2011 05:39:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Looks like we have to jump on Braun wagon. I know she is horrible but Chico won't get the black vote. Braun will be a one term mayor and if we lose nothing and the economy comes back they can't use this CRISIS to fuck with our pensions. Braun is bad, but I would take a weak Hitler over a strong Stalin.

are you fricken kidding me, you are an idiot... Braun won't get the white or Hispanic vote so your comment is just plain stupid. not to mention that if she cant manage her own affairs, all that will happen is the city will fall in to further mismanagement.. not to mention, we would probably see Ernie as our Sup... brainless comment... with Braun, the midget is a shoe in.. wise up stupid

1/29/2011 05:54:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
well if it means i get my pension when I retire then I will just grit my teeth and do it. its crappy all of the stuff that daley and co have done to our pension systems in the past but whining and standing here shaking our fist is not going to change that... now we have to deal with making sure we can retire with pensions...if it means weve got to dole out some more cash then i guess we have too...i dont like it but will do it if it means getting my pension.. thats the problem today with this department, way too many crybabies who sit around and cry instead of taking action.

1/29/2011 12:47:00 AM

Since there are way too many lawyers around, why don't we use some of the automatic increase with our raise, F.O.P. union dues to hire a lawyer to go after the people who have taken from our pension fund, (and the people who let them), and lost our money in bullshit investments? You won't get any criminal charges so, maybe get something in return. See a collection agency go after the daley clan!!!!

1/29/2011 06:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

When daley comes up with a plan you know it's gonna cost you money, FU daley and your plans.

1/29/2011 06:46:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The City of Chicago is corrupt because Chicagoans are corrupt. Expect them to steal back the pension you were promised.

1/29/2011 07:45:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There goes my friggin pay increase.. Took 4 years just to give it all back in 1 month. Thanks gang, state increase on income taxes are retro back to the new year incase you all were wondering why its so damn short

1/29/2011 07:46:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So many fools comment on the pension when they have no fucking clue what they are talking about.

The city has never missed a pension payment. Not one, not ever.....
1/29/2011 02:10:00 PM

Your are correct, but the city should have been increasing their contribution amounts all along. The risk of a defined benefit plan falls on the employer not the individuals. The are responsible for the state of the pension fund. They know this, and are trying to get you to pay for their mistakes with a 3% employee contribution increase.

1/29/2011 07:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What kind of pension money is shortshanks gonna get?

1/29/2011 08:06:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OT:

WDRV has a FOP Lodge 7 commercial pushing the Importance of making sure the next Mayor knows that more Cops need to be hired. (No shit, like for sure dude.)


My question;

Why the Fuck wasn't the Lodge doing this shit 5 and 10 years ago?

1/29/2011 01:03:00 PM

Its election time silly, of course the incumbents come out of their cave to appear as they have been doing something to help the cause.

I'm not saying Shields crew is any more qualified than the Citywide crew, there are good people on both teams, but there has to be some change to get the ball rolling on some change.

1/29/2011 08:50:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Do not agree to any increase Period. Enough said

1/29/2011 09:27:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
So many fools comment on the pension when they have no fucking clue what they are talking about.

The city has never missed a pension payment. Not one, not ever.

The problem is that pension payments are currently based on 1980 salaries, which averaged about 37k. The employee 9% contribution along with the current city contribution was enough to fully fund the pension. Fast forward to today. Now salaries average about 75k. While 9% was enough to fund a pension based on 1980 salaries, 9% of a 75k salary is not enough to fund a pension for a 75k salary. Add to this the gross number of gold star pensions, perhaps 10 times as many as there were in 1980; forced retirement at 63; and, health care incentives for retirement at 55, and you have a huge pension problem.

The question isn't should we pay more. The question is what needs to be paid to properly fund the pension.

The city is asking for 3% more because they think they can get it, but what increased contribution is the city offering in exchange for our 3%? What changes to the grotesque number of gold stars and directors is the city offering to ease the burden on the pension? Has the city done an actuarial study to determine just how underfunded the pension is and just how much has to be added to the fund every month?

Instead of reverting into an ignorant bitch fest, shouldn't the FOP PUBLICLY ask the city to answer the real questions? I'll agree to contribute more only if I know that we are actually funding the pension and not just pushing the pension's bankruptcy further into the future.

1/29/2011 02:10:00 PM

This is the first, mostaccurate post about the pension woes in tis entire thread. After I read it I reposted in the hope that some of you at least would read it and try to understand it. It is not just the increase in average salaries that has affected the pension fund, it is also the enhancements, earlier retirement age, increased percentage increase each year, etc. that have taken a toll on the fund. Couple that with a couple of bad return years because of the recession and you should be able to see what happened. The city should have asked for increased percentage contributions from the CPD years ago,BUT at the same time this will only work if the city matches the increased employee contributions at the same 2 to 1, or higher ratio. It is simple dollars and cents and addition and subtraction.

1/29/2011 09:42:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pension? WTF is a pension?

I feel for you guys but you are simply finally beginning to wake up and see what has been taking place in the private sector for decades.

Politicians take more and more, we survive on less and less.

OPM, (Other Peoples Money) their drug of choice is getting scarce. They refuse to give up their craving so they ceaselessly find ever more creative ways to feed their addiction.

You are finally getting the screws put to you. I take no pleasure in that but welcome you to the fight.

1/29/2011 10:01:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Looks like we have to jump on Braun wagon. I know she is horrible but Chico won't get the black vote. Braun will be a one term mayor and if we lose nothing and the economy comes back they can't use this CRISIS to fuck with our pensions. Braun is bad, but I would take a weak Hitler over a strong Stalin.

1/29/2011 03:50:00

Classic ignorant statement
If you are so pro Mostly Fraud why don't you start volunteering in her campaign to make things happen?
You most be just a LOUD mouth for the Mosley Braun Campaign ...get out this blog and stop drinking the south side spiked Kool-aid

Go Chico!

1/29/2011 10:04:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"So many fools comment on the pension when they have no fucking clue what they are talking about.

The city has never missed a pension payment. Not one, not ever.

The problem is that pension payments are currently based on 1980 salaries, which averaged about 37k. The employee 9% contribution along with the current city contribution was enough to fully fund the pension. Fast forward to today. Now salaries average about 75k. While 9% was enough to fund a pension based on 1980 salaries, 9% of a 75k salary is not enough to fund a pension for a 75k salary. Add to this the gross number of gold star pensions, perhaps 10 times as many as there were in 1980; forced retirement at 63; and, health care incentives for retirement at 55, and you have a huge pension problem.

The question isn't should we pay more. The question is what needs to be paid to properly fund the pension.

The city is asking for 3% more because they think they can get it, but what increased contribution is the city offering in exchange for our 3%? What changes to the grotesque number of gold stars and directors is the city offering to ease the burden on the pension? Has the city done an actuarial study to determine just how underfunded the pension is and just how much has to be added to the fund every month?

Instead of reverting into an ignorant bitch fest, shouldn't the FOP PUBLICLY ask the city to answer the real questions? I'll agree to contribute more only if I know that we are actually funding the pension and not just pushing the pension's bankruptcy further into the future."

You're absolutely correct. The city is funding at a 2:1 ration, based on salaries from 1982. The city now wants CPD to go from 9% to 12%, the city is offering to increase their contribution from 2:1 to 3:1.

The current ratio that the city should be contributing, according to the latest Pension newsletter, is 5.87:1

Their offer of 3:1 is woefully short of what they need to contribute.

A big hearty healthy FUCK YOU to Daley, Emanuel, Gene Saffold and while I'm at it. FUCK YOU to JFLED and Masters X3.

1/29/2011 11:23:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wait pay cuts are comming 10-20% across the board for every one. and if we are lucky more money taken out of our checks for the pension if we can keep it...

1/30/2011 01:52:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The city has never missed a pension payment. Not one, not ever.....

Not a true statement. Remember when The current FOP forgave 28 million in past due payments to the pension fund from the city so we could eliminate retirement from 32 and a day to 29 and a day. That little forgiveness was not thought out properly by the city actuaries or the FOP brain children. Getting the retirement time shortened was a good idea, but they also should have had the po's put an extra 1 percent into the pension and the city put an extra 3 percent in the pension when this all took place.
Also, the gold braid pension should have been done away with. This was implemented by the Crook Daley so he could reward his political hacks before they retire. The gold star can retire on the civil service rank they held rather then some inflated pension because of who they know.

1/30/2011 03:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

What kind of pension money is shortshanks gonna get?

1/29/2011 08:06:00 PM


A lot more than he average police officer, guaranteed with COLA for life and free health insurance and that is a Rolls Royce medical plan.

As for money,

Mayoral pension, 80% of $210,000 = $168,000

Cook County States Attorney Pension

Illinois State Senator Pension

total estimated pension: in excess of $300,000 yearly

1/30/2011 03:46:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey you Miguel Delvalle supporters..he is going to get 6% of the vote. dont waste your time.

1/30/2011 04:24:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

EVERYONE SHOULD GET THE BLUE FLU!!!!!!!!!
Im predicting a nice hot steamy day in july......

1/30/2011 07:06:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Those on pension saw a reducton in their checks due to increase in Federal taxes. Your congress voted for this. Thanks Obama and his merry men. Goverment workers gave themselves 6% raise. Seniors haven't seen an increase in s/s checks in 3 years. Keep voting for these morons and we'll be standing in food lines.

1/30/2011 07:41:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If your like me, you didn't vote for Obama, Giannoulos or Quinn. Like me you probably watch Fox News. Have you watched lately and gotten angry at republican pundits like Glen Beck who blame the current economic problems states are facing on the greedy workers and their bloated pension systems?

Well if you have, take the time to read about the bankruptcy legislation being proposed by Newt Gingrich and Jeb Bush.
Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-gingrich-bankruptcy-20110127,0,4958969.story
Here's a excerpt.
Second, as with municipal bankruptcy, a new bankruptcy law would allow states in default or in danger of default to reorganize their finances free from their union contractual obligations. In such a reorganization, a state could propose to terminate some, all or none of its government employee union contracts and establish new compensation rates, work rules, etc. The new law could also allow states an opportunity to reform their bloated, broken and under funded pension systems for current and future workers. The lucrative pay and benefits packages that government employee unions have received from obliging politicians over the years are perhaps the most significant hurdles for many states trying to restore fiscal health.
I don't know how you feel but I'm thinking that the Republican party might not have my best interests at heart. They need to be made aware that union men and women vote for them and might not in the future.
Senator Kirk is on board with bankruptcy. http://chicagoist.com/2011/01/22/kirk_let_illinois_go_bankrupt.php#
Make sure you read the last sentence. And call Kirk!
This might be the greatest threat to your financial future ever!

1/30/2011 09:57:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey you Miguel Delvalle supporters..he is going to get 6% of the vote. dont waste your time.

What so you shouldnt vote for a good guy? WTF thats how we never get anywhere

1/30/2011 10:09:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
"So many fools comment on the pension when they have no fucking clue what they are talking about.

The city has never missed a pension payment. Not one, not ever.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sorry you are wrong. Harold Washington suspended making pavements to balance the budget after he gave ASSCME huge raises The retiree’s took him to court and won. Judson Minor (sp) Harold’s Chief of Staff stated you won a battle but lost the war. Since then retirees had to pay for health care. My father was one of the plaintiffs. The city took two decades to catch-up. For years they would only deposit all of your money when you retired. They deprived the fund of the investment income. FOP was in court thru the term of three different groups of elected officers. The last monies that were trade off from having to work 32 years and a day to 29 years and a day. That was a fraction of 1% of the fund. The consensus was almost unanimous (90%+) to cut off 3 years to get to max pension. That is why we got wage compression in the previous contract. Yes the city is now caught up now. And the salary issue is only a small reason the fund is short. The stock market is number one. But a very close number two we are using actuary charts that are 40 years outdated. We are living longer. If we do not make a 2% increase and a 4% by the city the fund will slip farther back even with the two-tired plan now as passed in Springfield. We have always been willing to pay for any enhancements they asked for it has always been the city that fought any increases in funding to stabilize the fund. So unless a lot of us are willing to die faster we should be putting in 2% more.



Question to you:

Would you want the city to send the fund 25 million if had to work three (3) more years for the same pension we have now?

TRP

1/30/2011 11:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
The city has never missed a pension payment. Not one, not ever.....

Not a true statement. Remember when The current FOP forgave 28 million in past due payments to the pension fund from the city so we could eliminate retirement from 32 and a day to 29 and a day. That little forgiveness was not thought out properly by the city actuaries or the FOP brain children. Getting the retirement time shortened was a good idea, but they also should have had the po's put an extra 1 percent into the pension and the city put an extra 3 percent in the pension when this all took place.
Also, the gold braid pension should have been done away with. This was implemented by the Crook Daley so he could reward his political hacks before they retire. The gold star can retire on the civil service rank they held rather then some inflated pension because of who they know.

1/30/2011 03:20:00 AM

You may be correct about the 28 million that the FOP excused the city from paying, but that is not rflected in the Pension Board Reports. In any event, I have never been able to understand where the FOP had standing rw excuse the city from anything.

The "Gold Braid Pension" may have been by the "crook" Daley, but it wasn't by the current "crook" Daley. That took place back in the late 60's or maybe the early
70's. Incidentally, it also affected Detectives and other
D-2's and D-2A's, or any non-career service rank.

1/30/2011 11:42:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

for years police demanded the benefits of private sector
time and a half for overtime,
personal days , baby furlough days,
$3,000 duty availality pay for nothing , $1800 uniform allowance
now you will receive 40 to 50 % pensions like the private sector

remember before 1980 none of the above benefits existed and the citizens do not feel sorry for you

supervisors receive 45 minutes overtime everyday and most work a straight 8 hrs or less
only sgts work longer than 8 hours

the honeymoon is over
new mayor will cut our benefits

1/30/2011 11:48:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

does anybody wonder.....why the citizens in general, and Chicago in particular, just can't seem to get any politicians in office with honesty and integrity, folks who will act for the working people and not the connected?

1/29/2011 04:57:00 PM

I have not received a ballot to vote in the FOP election. Are they already sent out? What are my voting alternatives if I do not receive a ballot?

1/30/2011 11:55:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

...get out this blog and stop drinking the south side spiked Kool-aid


1/29/2011 10:04:00 PM



but it tastes so gooooood, it's freeeee, and i feel so giddy after drinking it!

1/30/2011 12:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What kind of pension money is shortshanks gonna get?

1/29/2011 08:06:00 PM



taxpayers money.

1/30/2011 12:59:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stop the borrowing from the future at all of our expense. The city will do just fine with 25 alderman or less. Let's make it happen!

1/29/2011 04:01:00 PM



no wonder they knocked you off the ballot.

1/30/2011 01:00:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No one wants to contribute more to their pensions. However...the sad reality is, it must happen, or there will be nothing left to pay out. The triple dipping politicians must stop. The over paid alderman, must stop. The non-union City workers already have 24 unpaid furloughs and not not get paid overtime this year and had it last year too. It's rough all around. Unfortunately, these cuts are necessary for all. No one wants to be paid less for a job we do well..but very few of us can find employment elsewhere either.

1/30/2011 02:36:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What are my voting alternatives if I do not receive a ballot?

1/30/2011 11:55:00 AM



take, and pass, the next police exam.

then wait.

1/30/2011 05:25:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What so you shouldnt vote for a good guy? WTF thats how we never get anywhere

1/30/2011 10:09:00 AM



no, voting for a good guy who loses is how we never get anywhere.

welcome to democracy, Chicago style.

1/30/2011 05:28:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"for years police demanded the benefits of private sector
time and a half for overtime,
personal days , baby furlough days,
$3,000 duty availality pay for nothing , $1800 uniform allowance
now you will receive 40 to 50 % pensions like the private sector

remember before 1980 none of the above benefits existed and the citizens do not feel sorry for you

supervisors receive 45 minutes overtime everyday and most work a straight 8 hrs or less
only sgts work longer than 8 hours

the honeymoon is over
new mayor will cut our benefits"

You aren't the police. If you do wear a police uniform, you certainly aren't the police. You are a first rate ASSHAT! Fuck you AND the new mayor, as well as the current mayor. How bout them apples asshole?

1/30/2011 05:38:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, these cuts are necessary for all. No one wants to be paid less for a job we do well..but very few of us can find employment elsewhere either.

1/30/2011 02:36:00 PM


so, when are the elected officials, and their cronies, gonna take a cut?


besides taking a cut out of my pocket and putting it into their's?

1/30/2011 07:15:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Isn't it amazing that the Illinois General Assembly make the new pension reform law and our mayor says I think we will do it this way instead, Hello will someone indict him already.

1/30/2011 09:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The gold star can retire on the civil service rank they held rather then some inflated pension because of who they know.



Like Dulay who is now working qt some city collage. Tommy Byrnes AKA the Thumb - Hes getting three pensions.

1/30/2011 11:12:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

..EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD BE CONCERNED

BULLSHIT!
You don't know what your talking about or your lying, You must be a citizen to collect SS- I will say this again you MUST BE A CITIZEN, they check your birth certificate. This is the place that issues Numbers.

1/31/2011 12:12:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about passing a law that multiple pension hogs can only get 100% of one pension and 20% of the second or third pensions just like that thieven Rostenkowski set up for public sector employees and social security

1/31/2011 10:35:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

does anybody wonder.....why the citizens in general, and Chicago in particular, just can't seem to get any politicians in office with honesty and integrity, folks who will act for the working people and not the connected?

1/29/2011 04:57:00 PM

I have not received a ballot to vote in the FOP election. Are they already sent out? What are my voting alternatives if I do not receive a ballot?

1/30/2011 11:55:00 AM


First rule of the FOP Election for officers, you must pay attention, at least a little. it has been posted in every unit across the city.

Ballots are mailed out on Feb 4. PO Box emptied early and ballots counted March 4.

If you ballot isn't in that PO Box by 0800 March 4th, your only option is to vote in person, March 4, 0900-1200 hours at FOP Hall, 1412 W Washington.

Lost ballot, not received ballot, spoiled ballot, can't write, can't read etc.: ONLY voting option is to vote in person at the FOP Hall, 0900-1200 hrs. on March 4th

1/31/2011 11:30:00 AM  

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