Pension Bill Getting Attention
City employee union leaders reacted furiously Thursday to a new bill in the Illinois General Assembly that would give Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle control over public employee pension funds.
House Republican Leader Tom Cross of Oswego is leading the effort to dissolve the city and county worker pension boards and alter the balance of power by allowing Emanuel and Preckwinkle to appoint a majority of new board members.
While Emanuel aides said the recently elected mayor was weighing his position on the bill, Preckwinkle’s spokeswoman told the Chicago News Cooperative that the first-term board president favored it.
But Cross said neither the mayor nor his aides in Springfield had asked him to introduce the new proposal.
“I think the suggestion by some is that the mayor’s office called me and is trying to get more power,” Cross said. “That’s not what happened. This came out of our shop. I want to be clear about that. He didn’t call me and say, ‘Do this.’”
Labels: pension
posted by SCC at 12:05 AM
85 Comments:
Gee where's all the dem bashers on this one. If you honestly think there is any difference between the parties you're an idiot. They both steal every chance they get.
Yes, rahm had a little bird(madigan) chirp into crosses ear. This didnt involve a phone call. Im sure this was a late night, closed door conversation in one of the good ole' boys office. Im sure for cross doing this there will be something nice for him in the future. If this thing happens, I wonder what cross will be doing in the next 4 years.... hmmmm, makes me wonder
"But in reality, there's no reason we can think of for an Oswego politician to be introducing Chicago Pension bills. Readers?"
Yes. This sounds fishy.
The politicians really don't want to end multi pensions so they tag an unpopular political draw for power on it so it gets nixed and the connected keep their multiple pensions.
Gangs Of New York. "The appearance of the law must be upheld at all times. Especially when its' being broken".
No truer statement ever for corrupt politicians in this welfare state.
Tom cross will never be more than he is now he will never move up. Anyone Tom cross endorses will not get my vote rham is a liar and cannot be trusted. It is a joke that cross is doing Rahm bidding.
Unbelieveable..............why is a Republican representative from Oswego trying to be so helpful to the government in Cook County? And supposedly there is no quid pro quo? The combine is alive and well.....Cellini is on trial for stacking the hospital board so he could funnel off funds. This is no different. Mr. Cross, you are being set up.
And be wary and informed. There are 62 bills re: pension reform listed on the Illinois Legislature website. A better bill is SB2499. Check it out.
Anybody know the total amount of dollars in these funds now - underfunded as they are? Bet Rahm and company does and they have made plans already as to how it can be "invested" ala Vaneko and Davis.
Are the aldermens' pensions part of this too?
Does it really matter? They steal from it now anyway......
FYI - Got this e-mail yesterday
From: tom@tomcross.com
To: tom@tomcross.com
Sent: 10/14/2011 3:57:30 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: HB3827
I appreciate and respect your concern about HB 3827. The intent of the bill is to bring more accountability to the taxpayers in Chicago and Cook County. The bill places the responsibility of the boards in the hands of the Mayor of Chicago or the Cook County Board President, both of whom are elected by the taxpayers.
These pension funds are made up of a majority of taxpayer money, which is why it is so important that an accountable and appointed board be assembled to represent taxpayer interests. HB 3827 was introduced to promote a discussion on the topic of restructuring these boards, so please feel free to send over any suggestions you might have on how to promote accountability and transparency in these pension funds. Additionally, HB 3827 does not make any changes to the benefit levels of employees nor does it give the pension boards the authority to make any benefit changes.
I hope this information helps to address your concerns. Please feel free to contact me at tom@tomcross.com or visit my website at www.tomcross.com
Sincerely,
Tom Cross
House Republican Leader
State Representative, 84th District
You fuck with my pension, my well deserved pension and you fuck with my family and there future. Just try it Rahm.
As soon as the headlights get on these sleezy rats notice how they scramble and run for their dirty little holes. The first statement, "I don't know nuttin". This portion of the bill came right out of the 5th floor. Racoon Eyes is a slippery little prick who has no morals. The portion of the bill that limits union bosses getting two or three pensions is more than enough.
Is that right, he's a republican......naaaaaaaaah cant be right. In cahoots with a democrat..........naaaaaaah cant be right........oh wait a minute, they are both politicians which DOESENT MATTER WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO SCREWING OVER THE VOTERS!!!!!!
I emailed Tom Cross and told him I would be disappointed if that bill passed. I explained that as a police officer, Social Security was not taken out of my checks so when I become of age, I would not get SS and even if I did, it would just be about have anyway. (Thanks Rostenkowski)
I went on to say that I would not get any Medicare because of the SS thing. So all I have to live on is my police promised pension.
His response was this:
Thank you for your perspective and insight. I do appreciate what you do as a police officer as I'm a former Assistant State's Attorney.
Thanks again,
Tom Cross
But Cross said neither the mayor nor his aides in Springfield had asked him to introduce the new proposal.
“I think the suggestion by some is that the mayor’s office called me and is trying to get more power,” Cross said. “That’s not what happened. This came out of our shop. I want to be clear about that. He didn’t call me and say, ‘Do this.’”
***************************************
Bullshit !!!!!! Cross will also swear on a stack of Bibles that he recently saw ten whole fingers on emanuels hands !!!! Never trust a politician, especially in the city of Shitcago, State of Illinois!
Tiny Dancer wants to control the pensions so he can piss away our money. If you look deep enough, that slimeball ex-mayor daley probably has his hands in this also, via the back room !!!!!!
With all due respect, please don’t take the voters to be fools. You were not elected to watch over Chicago---we have our own collection of inept politicians to do just that. In fact, your effort is so blatantly transparent that a blind person can decipher your true intent. You must know that Michael Madigan could never introduce such legislation. Too many governmental employees reside in his district. The uprising that would create might derail his future ambitions in politics. You, however, will not face the wrath of Chicago’s voters, (although I suspect there may be some contributions headed towards your opponent). So, it seems to me that you, in your effort to curry favor with the House President, decided to do his dirty work. Perhaps you got a little something in return for your efforts.
We all know that nothing in Springfield ever gets passed without the approval of House Democrats. In fact, Republicans can’t even pass gas in the house chamber without the approval of the Democratic leadership. So, cut the rhetoric and consider what your actions are doing to the families of Chicago’s civil servants
GOTTA WATCH RAHMS EVERY MOVE!!sad considering we get shot or even killed for the citizens of this city!!
Told you so, I heard this guy on a radio show talking about gutting our pensions and making us literally pay the whole thing ourselves if we want a pension. He's republican too, getting full democrat support on this issue
Don't Worry We have Nike Shields looking out for us
We need to keep incessant pressure on these assholes until this is scrapped. To think that we thought Shanks was a dictator. This stroke Rahm is ten times worse already.
Yo Rahm would you still be doing this if Uncle Les.. Retired Sgt... was still on the job?
This bill was co-sponsored by Darlene J. Senger from Naperville. It's bad enough the politicians choose not to fund their portion of the pension. Now they want to loot it too.
I hope out teacher, fire and police friends in Naperville and Oswell remember this in the next election. The stench of Chicago politics is on these two. Get them out.
Democrat or Republican, corruption is on both side. Either candidate can feel free to post on the blog and explain why they are doing Rahm's bidding.
The old daley "I dunno" response! does rahm think we are that stupid? Another bullshit artist! Fuck with the coppers deserved paid into promised pension! Not to wise rahm, you thought the protestors downtown were something, fuck with our pensions and watch! rahm at a meeting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW4z045h9-4
Why dont these politicians reform their pensions ! always stealing from the working man. I'm sure the Mayor and County President would not abuse the funds they would be in charge of.??? You know investing pension funds with family members companies and losing millions while the company makes millions. Ill. politics what a JOKE!!!!
This is absolute proof of what Kass has been saying for years. Illinois is run by a "Combine" that has nothing to do with Party loyalty, but everything to do with POWER. Cellini is on trial, but he was a power broker/money bundler for Blago and Mr. Clean Gov. Jim Edgar as well. All of these "representatives" care only about power and money. They will seek you out at election time to get your vote, but once in power they want nothing to do with you as an individual. ONE OF THE ANSWERS IS TERM LIMITATIONS AND CONTROL OF THEIR PENSIONS.
"Gee, where's all the dem bashers on this one. If youy honestly think there is any difference beyween the parties you're an idiot."
Yes, Virginia, you're correct about both parties in Illinois. From Republican George Ryan who emptied death row, to Democrat Pat Quinn who signed the bill that formally ended capital punishment for the worst of the worst in Illinois. From pro-abortion Republican Senator Mark Kirk to pro-homosexual marriage Democrat Senator Dick Durbin, there is no difference between the parties in Illinois. And our fraternal organizations haven't quite figured this out yet, either. From the FOP leadership tripping over itself to endorse and elect that fraud Lisa Madigan to my own Sergeants association leaders encouraging the membership to lock arms with the "Free Mumia" crowd to oppose pension reforms. Unless you live in a vacuum you now realize how outgoing Republican Governor Jim Thompson signed the legislation enabling pro-democratic labor leaders to rape city penion funds. You also realize how cronyism allows our politically appointed exempt members to do the same. But this is in Illinois. Sixty miles north of us a newly elected Republican govenor codified protections for police, fire, and other public safety personnel while at the same time putting an end to similar corrupt pension policies that nearly bankrupted Wisconsin. For this he has been vilified by the leftists in the media and targeted by the un-informed for recall. I have confidence the Republicans will prevail in Wisconsin, my next port o' call after 29 and a day. I'm not as confident we will prevail in Illinois because most of you haven't figured it out yet. As for me, thank God I married rich!
Republicans Tom Cross and Darlene Senger must be defeated, humiliated, and punished.
I can't wait to write checks to their opponents. We need to start a massive fundraising campaign to defeat them.
Cross is just a stooge and lackey of the corrupt Illinois Republican establishment, which also controls the Civic Federation.
Laurence Msall of the Civic Federation, former go-to $ guy for convicted felon George Ryan is the mouthpiece you hear everyday.
Darlene Senger is a bottom feeder from Naperville who's actual profession is listed as some sort f "investment advisor". In other words, she's a common hustler.
I'm sure Emanuel bought all of these low-lifes at a discount.
Unions unite! They will not be able to pull this off if everyone stands together . Crying and woe-is meing won't cut it. Vocal protests and marches , if necessary, are what this will take.
Ordinary rank and file members betrayed first by "our own" union leaders who used the pension fund as their private piggy bank (with more than a little help from the legislature i.e. The Gold Braid Bill) and now by the pols we thought offered an alternative to the Democratic machine.
Remember at voting time.
MASTERFUL!
Tiny-Dancer 9.5 gets control over our pension. Then uses this control to negotiate the benefits we have in our contract that he wants to eliminate. Say...increase our contribution to 12%, eliminate 2 paid holidays, the medical days, shift differencial, and then dangles the 55 and out over our heads to negotiate Say...no raises, no retro, etc, etc, etc.
Why doesnt the mayor start with contributing to our pension again??
Anonymous said...
"But in reality, there's no reason we can think of for an Oswego politician to be introducing Chicago Pension bills. Readers?"
Yes. This sounds fishy.
10/15/2011 12:23:00 AM
Fishy? Anything that happens in the Illinois legislature is "fishy."
It is the Illinois Combine.
"...the "combine" of Illinois politics, wherein powerful elements of the Illinois Republican and Democratic parties unite for the purposes of political corruption."
At times those purposes include fucking whoever is in line for a fucking. At the present time we are being bent over.
Do not expect anything to be fair. The process is rigged, the end result pre-ordained.
Cross, your full of shit that this was your idea.
We need to stick together on this one, P/Os, Sgts, Lts, Capts, police, fire, teachers, laborers, city and county employees. We have the numbers. Now we have to utilize those numbers.
Emanuel controls the cash spigot for all of these clowns, period.
Remember how he raised $7 million for Daley in 1989?
The moneyed, north shore elites settled on the southside shit pig Daley to protect their interests after a very uncomfortable ride for their investments in Chicago during the 80s. Emanuel gave this turd from the banks of Bubbly Creek the money to win and serve his masters, to the detriment of Chicagoans who he really despises.
These Republicans are no different. They know what Emanuel has access to and they want some of it.
What do they care?? We are the only ones paying into the fund!
Tom Cross needs to concentrate on his area. It makes you think, aren't elected officials supposed to do the what the people who elected them want?
I haven't seen that and I can tell you that my state rep (Zalewski) is an asshole because with all the pension recipients in his district he is gonna fuck us in the end
shortshanks was a master at deflecting criticism and was following the " cheating you fair " principle---- raccoon eyes is arrogant and basically telling you how he is going to take your schillings--- this man is the poison pill for every city worker--- we will have to fight this guy up and down the block to keep our benefits and try to get a little more--- we have the last ace in the deck, his lovefest set up for next may--- 6.5 percent over 5 years and then potato head quinn took more with his state income tax hike--- then crook county took more for property taxes--- now this thieving sheeny will blast everyone with his water bill hikes--- time to pay up or your beautiful city is going to look like a pile of dust after may 2012.....
What's really costing tax layers money:
Politicians lucrative pensions that that they don't contribute to not the public servants pension!
Social Security payouts not the public servants pension!
Food stamps not the public servants pension!
Corporate tax breaks and corporations cheating on taxes or not paying them Not the public servants pension!
Tax refund checks, not the public servants pension!
Our pension fund has never been in default or been bailed out by any taxpayers despite the city not pay their lawful contributions or Dayleys incompetent nephew doing bad business with our money!!!!!!!
STOP BLAMING US AMERICA AND BLAME YOUR OWN FOR DOING BAD DEALS!!!!!!
800,000 lawmen in America!, hundreds of thousands more firemen, teachers, laborers streets and San's workers etc....in America and all of us show up and vote!!!!!!!
The reason why Springfield controls our pension in the first place is that the city once used the pension funds to build McCormick Place. When it burned down there was no insurance and the Fire and Police pension funds were broke. So why do you think it's a good idea to let a new generation of grafters control your money?
Do They want us to join the ranks of the "Occupy" protesters? Aren't you supposed to keep your palace guards happy?
Call and ask why these suburban Republicans are trying to let Emanuel steal your pension:
Tom Cross
(815)254-0000 Plainfield
(312)814-2053 Chicago/Thompson Bldg
Darlene Senger
(630)219-3090 Naperville
You can also conveniently stop by Minority Leader Cross' office at the Thompson Center and ask his staff directly. Go in groups and bring your families!
Our CPD pension is only 40% funded. Compare the CPD pension fund to the NYPD pension. They are 69% funded and the pension board members are all police. No civilians appointed by the NYC Mayor. They control it. Rahm will steal our money like Shortshanks did & Lil Mikey will help him.
Find your Rep
SCC, please make a perm link on the side. Enter your address to locate your rep....so we can give them hell.
There has GOTTA be something in it for him!
*** Off Topic Pay Attention ***
Fellow Coppers, the time has come to really show the City how much crime is out there.
WE MUST REPORT ALL CRIME NOW!!!
By reporting EVERYTHING, we can show the citizens that crime really is on the rise.
For instance, if you have a fight on the street, don't 19P it. Even if the victims don't want a report. Make them give the info. We do this with domestics even when the victim doesn't want a report. We 19P 90% of assaults and batteries. DON'T DO IT, THOSE ARE INDEX CRIMES!!
EVERY TIME YOU STOP YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD BE WRITING A REPORT. Just like the suburbs.
True crime numbers will be reported, and as a result the crime numbers will go through the roof. Then we can hit Rahm over the head with the stats!!!! Comprende???
Cross emailed a generic reply to multiple emails this week. It's as unpersuasive as his denial.
People doing the bidding of others are more likely to fold than the principals themselves. Keep up the political pressure.
here is Tom Cross' info:
If you have a specific question for one of our staff members, please feel free to call us at: 815-254-0000 and here is his email
tom@tomcross.com
Anonymous said...
You fuck with my pension, my well deserved pension and you fuck with my family and there future. Just try it Rahm.
10/15/2011 03:34:00 AM
Very short and to the point.
When you steal the food from my mouth, I will shut your's
Did Sheriff Tom Dart ever meet a tv camera he didn't like? Now Dart wants to charge prisoners for their meals. Huh? Sure Tommy these guys and gals are already fucked up in the head being locked up so get them more crazy. Maybe they will riot and burn down your jail. Taking away their commissary money will only agitate. Dart is nothing but a politician with a badge.
First thing we do....
Kill all the Politicians and Union Leaders.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
You fuck with my pension, my well deserved pension and you fuck with my family and there future. Just try it Rahm.
10/15/2011 03:34:00 AM
Hey tough guy, they are already fucking with your pension so what are you going to do about it? Yeah, thought so, nothing.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Gee where's all the dem bashers on this one. If you honestly think there is any difference between the parties you're an idiot. They both steal every chance they get.
10/15/2011 12:12:00 AM
Them DemocRATS are still the worse party in the history of our country. Republicans want to look out for us the working class. Don't forget that when you step into the voting booth.
Cross has an office in the Thompson Center in Suite# 16-700.
Lets picket.
Leader Tom Cross (R-Emanuel)
Suite# 16-700
James R. Thompson Center
Didn't short shanks get what ever he wanted from the pension board? Daley got the board to lend out the money for whatever he wanted. Having politicians control the board is what destroyed the pension fund. So now it will just continue and they will burn up the money instead of leaving it alone to grow. SAD.
Rahm got his $18M for a job he was completely unqualified for. He's all good ....
"Never let a crisis go to waste"
Rahm Emmanuel
10/15/2011 08:27:00 AM
You have no right to complain about 42 short or 9.5 if you never stepped up and filed complaints..
In other words...the Entire CPD bent over willingly because no one was willing to file state and federal complaints against the crooks that have run this city and the department into the ground for the past 40 years.
Great job, worrying about your pension and not the future of this department.
Sent to Mr. Cross:
"This is a THIRD RAIL ISSUE.
You and Rahm have awakened a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve.
“These pension funds are made up of a majority of taxpayer money, which is why it is so important that an accountable and appointed board be assembled to represent taxpayer interests.”
Once the money is in the Pension Fund it belongs to the present and future pensioners. Not to the mayor and his cohorts to as their personal piggy bank. And has the past and present mayors contributed the proper amounts due to these funds.
Remember what happened to Dan Rostenkowski, that arrogant SOB slashed the Social Security Benefits of government employees. He was chased out of meetings by angry seniors. He was surrounded by government employees and thought no one would blow the whistle on his dirty little scam with the Congressional Post Office and went to jail.
Again, this is a Third Rail Issue."
I signed it and await his response.
Cross, in his letter, asks for suggestions. I have one. GO FUCK YOURSELF!!!!!
Speaking of this as a THIRD RAIL ISSUE.
That is touch it an die...
Shouldn't this be something we get FOP statewide to tell all of the State House and Senate that if your back this bad law from Chicago you will back a bad law that will hurt us so we will get rid of you next election.
We need everyones help on this.
by the way guys the district is down on curfews.
"City employee union leaders reacted furiously..."
Yeah, well don't expect any public support after recent revelations of union leaders collecting double and triple pensions, some pensions for only working one day. Methinks the "union leaders" have done us in, in more ways than one.
This is exactly what happened in the movie
"Negotiator"!
If you are on facebook go to firstresponderpensionfacts and like the page. This page will keep you up to date on what is going on in the battle to protect our pensions. The CPLA and CPSA run the site but anyone can LIKE it and keep current on what is happening.
fop has no balls or guts..rahm is wiping the floor with you..but enjoy the perks for now..a union is organized labor so why dont you guys start organizing.
Cross is full of shit.
We most be remember everyone who supposed this bill regardless of if it passes and show them we remember come elections
Anonymous said...
First thing we do....
Kill all the Politicians and Union Leaders.
10/15/2011 01:14:00 PM
Don't forget the offspring. Destroy the evil seed.
Fuck the demoshits, fuck Rahm and fuck anyone that supports them!
I received exactly the same reply when I emailed this clown as below.
From: tom@tomcross.com
To: tom@tomcross.com
Sent: 10/14/2011 3:57:30 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: HB3827
I appreciate and respect your concern about HB 3827. The intent of the bill is to bring more accountability to the taxpayers in Chicago and Cook County. The bill places the responsibility of the boards in the hands of the Mayor of Chicago or the Cook County Board President, both of whom are elected by the taxpayers.
These pension funds are made up of a majority of taxpayer money, which is why it is so important that an accountable and appointed board be assembled to represent taxpayer interests. HB 3827 was introduced to promote a discussion on the topic of restructuring these boards, so please feel free to send over any suggestions you might have on how to promote accountability and transparency in these pension funds. Additionally, HB 3827 does not make any changes to the benefit levels of employees nor does it give the pension boards the authority to make any benefit changes.
I hope this information helps to address your concerns. Please feel free to contact me at tom@tomcross.com or visit my website at www.tomcross.com
Sincerely,
Tom Cross
House Republican Leader
State Representative, 84th District
To which I replied
No Sir!
You are mistaken, and misguided.
The Pension funds are made primarily of the Pension participants money - our money (which we have been contributing our full portion) NOT the taxpayers. The city of Chicago, as well as the County and especially the State in their own instances, have been DEFERRING their contributions as much as they could.
That is what has led to this problem.
If you are going to lecture me, GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT !!!
You insult me and my fellow pensioners with these distortions used to rationalize this back door dirty dealing.
SHAME
Anonymous said...
Emanuel controls the cash spigot for all of these clowns, period.
Remember how he raised $7 million for Daley in 1989?
The moneyed, north shore elites settled on the southside shit pig Daley to protect their interests after a very uncomfortable ride for their investments in Chicago during the 80s. Emanuel gave this turd from the banks of Bubbly Creek the money to win and serve his masters, to the detriment of Chicagoans who he really despises.
These Republicans are no different. They know what Emanuel has access to and they want some of it.
10/15/2011 10:18:00 AM
...it appears that somebody has a very high opinion of themselves based on your comments...
I know Tom Cross. He's a short little prick with his eyes on the Governorship. He doesn't give a rat's ass about Chicago and only about suburban Cook County where Republican voters reside.
From: tom@tomcross.com
To: tom@tomcross.com
Sent: 10/14/2011 3:57:30 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: HB3827
I appreciate and respect your concern about HB 3827. The intent of the bill is to bring more accountability to the taxpayers in Chicago and Cook County. The bill places the responsibility of the boards in the hands of the Mayor of Chicago or the Cook County Board President, both of whom are elected by the taxpayers.
These pension funds are made up of a majority of taxpayer money, which is why it is so important that an accountable and appointed board be assembled to represent taxpayer interests. HB 3827 was introduced to promote a discussion on the topic of restructuring these boards, so please feel free to send over any suggestions you might have on how to promote accountability and transparency in these pension funds. Additionally, HB 3827 does not make any changes to the benefit levels of employees nor does it give the pension boards the authority to make any benefit changes.
I hope this information helps to address your concerns. Please feel free to contact me at tom@tomcross.com or visit my website at www.tomcross.com
Sincerely,
Tom Cross
House Republican Leader
State Representative, 84th District
To which I replied
No Sir!
You are mistaken, and misguided.
The Pension funds are made primarily of the Pension participants money - our money (which we have been contributing our full portion) NOT the taxpayers. The city of Chicago, as well as the County and especially the State in their own instances, have been DEFERRING their contributions as much as they could.
That is what has led to this problem.
If you are going to lecture me, GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT !!!
You insult me and my fellow pensioners with these distortions used to rationalize this back door dirty dealing.
SHAME
10/15/2011 10:06:00 PM
--
Anybody want to bet that Mr. Cross DOESN'T KNOW that our pension fund is a separate entity and operates differently from the others????
Jingo Jay said...
There has GOTTA be something in it for him!
10/15/2011 11:57:00 AM
***********************************
It is no longer about Dumbocrats vs. Republicans.
It's all about the "Haves vs the Have Nots" and they are out to get what little we have to depend on.
They are "bitch slapping the working "man/woman" to death. We need to start kicking the asses of these scumbag politicians in any way we can.
Fuck all the daley's of this country !!!!!!
Tom cross says the majority of the pension is made up of taxpayers money, well we are the taxpayers as are our families and the other portion is what the workers contribute. Also the money does not belong to taxpayers it belongs to us, the workers. So NO the government does not need the deciding vote on anything. Since its workers money the board should tilt towards the representation of the workers. So take away an appointed seat. WTF, common sense Tom, but nice try with your bullshit double talk.
If Tom uses the logic that the pension money is taxpayers, then the same logic goes for everything using taxpayers money. We pay property taxes so by now we own the county and we as taxpayers decide no more real estate taxes, ok Tom? Thought so
They already f'ed with your pension. You sold your votes to the Dems for a promise they didn't keep and continued the voting. The money ain't there and won't be there. That's the wayit is.
It's all about the "Haves vs the Have Nots" and they are out to get what little we have to depend on.
They are "bitch slapping the working "man/woman" to death. We need to start kicking the asses of these scumbag politicians in any way we can.
Fuck all the daley's of this country !!!!!!
10/15/2011 11:49:00 PM
Stop with the "worker revolution" nonsense from the 60's. You sound like an idiot.
This is our pension money they are trying to get control of. We paid in for our retirement. We'd like it there when we retire.
We are not Teamsters, we are not overpaid and we do not expect something for nothing. This was our retirement that we worked for, just like everyone else. The politicians have only shown us mismanagement when it comes to money. We don't want them in control of our retirement money. It really is that simple.
I know Tom Cross. He's a short little prick with his eyes on the Governorship. He doesn't give a rat's ass about Chicago and only about suburban Cook County where Republican voters reside.
Start contributing to his opponent(s)
This should be a THIRD RAIL ISSUE for any politician anywhere.
Tom Cross may have tipped Rahm's hand on this and may have brought up a very fundamental question about Public Employee Pension Funds.
That is Public Employee Pension Funds NOT... REPEAT NOT Public Pension Funds.
A simple question. Whose money is it?
Tom Cross in his response to emails writes:
"These pension funds are made up of a majority of taxpayer money, which is why it is so important that an accountable and appointed board be assembled to represent taxpayer interests."
There is the problem. Rahm and the combine or what ever you want to call it still THINK THE MONEY IS THEIRS.
They think the Public Employee Pension Funds are like their personal banks. They can make deposits and withdrawals and loans from it and want to take over the Board of Directors. They are certainly late on paying their bills, try not paying what they owe and not get a collection agency on your ass and a ruined credit rating.
Once the money is paid into the Pension fund, it belongs to the present and future pensioners. It is our/their money just like when we cashed our paychecks, other than taxes the government couldn't tell us how to invest or spend it.
If this bill goes forward we may need to get it into a Federal Court and sweat Mr. Cross under oath and threat of jail for perjury on why he is doing this.
Then settle on the question, "Whose money is it?"
Remember former City treasurer Mariam Santos? She refused to give Daley any pension money to dole out to his "friends". Guess what...She was set up by Daley and Madigan trying to get campaign contributions she needed to pay back to Madigan for his supporting her election. The Feds had her lines tapped and down she went. I wonder who tipped the Feds off?
Hey chicago, CPD & Cook County cops, Deps, DOC & other employees:
Time to organize & rally against
Cross, Senger, Emanuel & others attacking us & our pensions.
It's now or be sorry later.
Unity in numbers!
http://us.mg204.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.partner=sbc&.rand=10lvgsahs7gi9
Interesting comment on the latest meeting with Reps. Cross, Senger, and the proud civic leaders on the Civic Committee, among others.
My message to Tom Cross
___________________________
Tom ,
Part 1
The City of Chicago has had control of our pension board and has failed. It has succeeded in awarding investment oppertunities to political insiders who have lost our entire investment. It has used our pension fund as it's personal piggy bank, has failed to make the required dispursements in a timely manner and awarded investments to politically connected firms that have contributed to their election compaign. One current member that falls into that catagory is Stephanie Neeley. This type of inpropriety has led to it's current underfunded level and is the result of a city of chicago controlled board. Also you make the statement that the intent is to bring more accountability to the taxpayers and the funds are made up of a majority of taxpayer money. Tom once this deferred wage benefit is paid to the fund by the City of Chicago it becomes the property of the Annuitants for their benefit not the taxpayers, and therin lies the problem. If that was the real intent you would be introducing legislation to have an independent election for the position of Inspector General instead of having one appointed by the mayor of chicago and one appointed by the president of the cook county board who would have unlimited authority to investigate any aspect of city and county government, including our pension fund and the Chicago Public School System instead of the dog and pony show the current Inspector General put's on that is directed by the mayor and cook county board president. We need a true advocate for the taxpayers and not some legislation that will give our mayor control over our money. Remember that the Policemen's Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago belongs to us the Chicago Police Officers. It is deferred compensation and part of our wages only this portion of our wages is deferred. It does not belong to the taxpayers it belongs to the police officers whose blood, sweat and tears earned this benefit and also contribute to this benefit each and every paycheck. Mayor Emmanuel wants to appoint a new board and have a controlling interest so he can take away our retirement benefits on the same scale as our former chairman of the House Ways and Means committee Dan Rostenkowski did. If you do not know the story I will be happy to tell you. Most police officers can't make ends meet because of private school tuition cost and all the other cost associated with having to live within the city limits of Chicago. If you look at our tax bills the first line item on our tax bills is Chicago Board of Education. It accounts for 50% of our tax bill and even with the approximately $24,000.00 spent on each student in the Chicago Public School System we still can't send our children to these schools because of the terrible education offered by chicago public schools. So we send our children to private schools to the tune of $8000-$10,000 a year so our children have a chance at attending college and they receive twice the education that they would have gotten attending CPS for half the cost, only problem is no voucher system so this is extra income we need to earn and our police job does not provide that type of income. So the majority of us with families have secondary part time jobs that take out for Social Security and have earned the minimum quarters to be eligible for social security. Some of us already had the minimum quarters prior to being employed by the police department and have been paying into social security hoping to max out our benefits. Then Mr Rostenkowski comes along and introduces legislation that passes which says that anyone eligible for a municipal pension in only 11 states, not all 50 states, will have their social security benefits reduced by 65-85%.
My message to Tom Cross
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Part 2
Our police officers worked and paid in like everyone else and are now penalized for being responsible and paying our bills. Police are tired of getting screwed by our elected officials. If this legislation you're proposing get's passed the pay to play that will be going on with our pension fund will make Blago look like a boy scout. It's our money and we should control our money. Our pension fund has been used by Mayor Daley over the past 25 years to reward political favors and now it is in bad shape. Now you want to give Emmanuel absolute control over our money. We, the police officers and owners of the fund should have absolute control over our money like New York does (8 police officers and 4 city representatives) and we would be funded at 69% instead of 40%. Really want to help the taxpayer and make sure that public funds are being spent properly. Introduce legislation where an Inspector General would be elected and he could hire his own staff to be watchdogs for the taxpayers with a budget that could pay for itself at least twice over because of all the waste and corruption that office would prevent and prosecute. How's this for discussion. What do you think now Tom?
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