Pension Amendment
A proposal on the November ballot appears to be an attempt to circumvent the Illinois Constitution as written:
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Amendment 49 on the November ballot in Illinois is cleverly drafted to concentrate more monetary power in the same Springfield legislative leaders who have de facto bankrupted the Illinois Treasury. With $83 billion in projected liabilities, Illinois
has the nation’s largest state budget crisis.
Amendment 49 is crafted to strip local governments and voters of current decision-making prerogatives and transfer those decisions to Springfield.
Among other subterfuges, Amendment 49 overrules and destroys the Illinois Constitutional protection against eliminating or reducing earned benefits, such as pensions for state retirees who by state law cannot receive Social Security and, in many instances, cannot receive Medicaid.
This is where the big problem appears to be:
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For example, hidden in the “last sentence” is the new constitutional provision: “(d) Nothing in this Section shall prevent the passage or adoption of any law, ordinance, resolution, rule, policy or practice that further restricts the ability to provide a ‘benefit increase,’ ‘emolument increase,’ or ‘beneficial determination’ as those terms are used under this Section.”
Thus, Amendment 49 overrules the current Constitutional safeguard known as the “non-impairment provision” in Article XIII, sec. 5, of the Illinois Constitution.
This proposal appears to have a lot of baggage attached to it, a lot of unanswered questions, and needs to be studied quickly by the unions so the impact can be judged in time for the elections that are less than 40 days away. The fact that Madigan rushed this through is enough of a reason for us to vote against it - judge accordingly.
Labels: pension
posted by SCC at 12:05 AM
140 Comments:
Makes you wonder why the FOP and other unions are not up in arms about this. We are getting screwed and mike is sitting silent.
OT- two 004 dist. Tac guys stripped last night for laying hands on a known offender w a gun - said gun recovered. Offender gets out of jail & goes to the convenience store (located at 76th Coles) where PO's grabbed him - store owner allows him to re-record the video. Offender puts video on you tube & we all know the rest...IAD, IPRA & eventually lawsuit - if they are lucky & articulate about their actions no federal charges. Be careful kids...Chicago has the most cameras in the country & that's not including what they make liquor establishments put up per their licensing agreements. These store owners in the ghetto ate working hand-in-hand with these people - they ARE NOT OUR FRIENDS!
Yep the only way we carry any leverage is before the elections. After the elections it will be ha=ha sad day for you. We're gonna do what we want because we're here for four more years now.
The same situation exists with medicare and social security.
Trillions of dollars went to the banks for bailouts and now we get the "we're all in this together line" as that money is redistributed to the corporations.
They got the trillion dollar bailouts. They got the tax breaks.
Not only did many people lose wages, homes, etc. Now they are going after the future incomes and savings.
It's done by paying below inflation rate interest. 1.5% interest on a 10 year us treasury investment while inflation is well over that. This is creating losses in pension funds, IRA's, 401K's and any fixed income retirement plans and the Feds have promised to just keep manipulating the interest rates lower.
Trying to shift your money into Wall Street Stock is worse as that market is rigged with High Frequency Trading computer orders that rig the game. Not to mention we have these investment houses that have outright stolen money from peoples cash accounts and nothing is being done. No-one is going to jail for fraud. You'd have to be nuts to put your money there. People are still waiting for their money that came up missing at some of these places.
So yeah. We don't have to tax your paycheck. Let's crash the real estate market and steal the equity people once had in their homes.
When we're done with that let's lower the interest rates on government bonds. We'll pay 1.5% and real inflation runs 3% then the people lose 1.5% of the purchasing power per year in their savings as long as those rates hold. It's like a tax on our savings my friends. The magic of inflation. I have more money but it buys less stuff.
Yep we're all suppose to take the cuts while the banks and the bailed out corps maintained their social-economic status quo via the great transfer of wealth. Follow the money.
Madigan should be drawn and quartered...slowly!
"Beneficial Determination"
=
Benefit decrease as decided at the sole pleasure of thieving bastards like Madigan, RMD et al who drove this city and state onto the financial rocks...
Glad we can read with a hateful eye.
So this is Rahm and Madigan's newest move?
Is this their "all in" to render the minimum pension funding law (scheduled to kick in next year if we remember correctly) moot?
Rahm was PISSED when Quinn signed off on that.
Quinn, being the jelly-fish that he is, left the window open for nearly two years to give Rahm & Co. time to figure out an end run around the law.
Counter Legislation...
Just flat out fucking craven and wretched...
Keep voting democratic, people...it's worked so well.
how much damage did hurricane katrina cost the state of louisiana and the federal government--- the hurricane that is going to hit illinois is ten times worse--- the state of illinois and the city of chicago are federal disaster sites--- where is all of our federal help--- please someone help save us from these thieving democrat cocksuckers who have turned this state into the biggest debtor in the country....
That article on amend 49 is almost a month old. Wtf.
Was the fop too busy bs'ing with the retiree amendment to bother addressing this?
An obama maneuver...fuck the constitution.
Those concerned about our pension should attend a City Council Finance Committee hearing this afternoon at 1:30 at which pension officials will be questioned by committee members. Supposedly, certain aldermen are determined to find out how and why ours is one of the most underfunded pensions in the nation.
WOW !
I don't know where to start.
If you think the polititions of this most corrupt city, county, state will ever stop trying to steal your pensions.....you're an idiot.
The social safety net : soc sec, pensions, medicare, welfare, etc... were ponzi schems from the start and anybody with advanced math skills will tell you that.
The polititions were well aware of this and stole as much as they could knowing it would fail anyway.
I know you don't want to hear this but, we are fucked and there is NO solution.
Thats right, the productive citizens are the problem and not the waste of space mutts that live off the gov't for generations.
Madigan's a fuckin' Vampire !!!!
people better pay attention and vote. we are so f*c%ed
It wasn't rushed through people. This is what angers me regarding both our pension board and union officers responsibilities. This bill was filed in early April, 2012. It has been adopted by both Houses as of late May 2012. The pension committees heard the reading of this on April 17, 2012. Is not the FOP supposed to have a pension committee that is to be notified/and or allowed to put forth their opinion regarding bills that affect pensions? If so, where were they? Why havent they notified and mobilized the members?
The bill's chief sponsor is Sen. John Cullerton. Alternate co-chief sponsors are, Senators Jeffrey Schoenberg, Iris Martinez, Kimberley Lightford and William Haine.
I am just flummoxed that this is the first time we are hearing about this. Thanks to a regular cop posting the information instead of our union or pension board. The representation we have in both offices is completely and utterly useless. Depending on them is an exercise in futility. Best to be your own attorney, pension trustee, and union officer because these folks just take money and let the important things slip through, I.e. contract negotiation deadline and now this. Unbelievable.
Amendment 49, like the legislation slipped through by Tiny Dancer against the teachers requiring 75% support by the teachers to strike are examples of a dangerous trend. There was a time when the Media would portray the enemies of Public Service Employees as a simple Repbulican Issue. However what Madigan & Cullerton did to the teachers was as aggressive as anything in Wisconsin. Yet Labor continues to blindly follow the Democrat Party and donate money and foot soldiers to knock on doors and man phones. Union members despite these efforts against them are organizing for the election next month, to support the entire Democrat ticket. In a sense, we have become like the Cabrini Green residents who consistently voted for their landlords at the Green. And those of us who worked the Green remember the conditions, yet we must also remember that the City of Chicago, through the Chgo Housing Authority was the landlord! The City was the largest Slumlord in Chicago, and the tennants were all die-hard Democrats. Are we as dumb as they were? EVERY PUBLIC EMPLOYEE NEEDS TO GIVE NOTHING AND DO NOTHING FOR THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. FOR THOSE OF YOU TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER, FOP SUPPORTED MADIGAN'S DAUGHTER ON HER FIRST RUN FOR OFFICE ON THE PROMISE WE WOULD GET AN 80% PENSION, AND WE ALSO SUPPORTED CLINTON; WE GOT SHIT! AND DON'T FORGET, TINY DANCER WAS CLINTON'S TOP ADVISOR LONG BEFORE OBAMA CAME ON THE SCENE. Baby "G"
I thought the constitution can only be changed every 20 years?
Keep voting democratic, people...it's worked so well.
10/01/2012 12:44:00 AM
It sure has worked well for the life long welfare mutts voting democratic.
where is markie boy past president and brown nose
Cullerton is as smarmy as they come.
Rahm and Madigan are the main snakes behind this slimy maneuver. I've said it many times before and I'll say it again Rahm has no intention of honoring the city's pension obligation. He'll do anything to help him accomplish his goal.
Fuck these two fat cat politicians. We must campaign fast and furious to our elected officials that we don't want this passed!
OT
Anyone had their house in Chicago appraised recently? Ours came in $30,000 less than the two offers -$20,000 less than a month ago. What is going on?
Thank You SCC For posting this. This a KEY NO Vote in November.
I too have heard nothing from any union in regards to this Constitutional Amendment.
Understand the Illinois legislator cannot be trusted with the responsibility to change our states Constitution. I urge all Police Officers, Union members’ and readers of this blog, spread the word about CA 49. This is just another attempt by the State Legislators to infringe upon the rights of the working men and women of Illinois. They created this crisis let them start by cutting their own salaries, benefits and pensions as dramatically as they would like to cut others.
Jack Flisk
“And remember an attack on any pension is a potential threat to ours”
VOTE NO!!
This is a very, very dangerous amendment. Tell your friends and family to vote NO, NO, NO!!!!! I have seen some fliers going around explaining how its only intention is to deplete our benefits.
They couldn't open up the constitution, so this is their next option.
If this passes, plan on living like a pauper in your retirement, while the gold braids enjoy a couple of vacation homes and will live better than most working people---for being triple -promoted merit hacks in most cases.
Sickening.
Arrogance! The democrats, and big government, are not the answer!
VOTE NO on ammendment 49!
Good thing Mikey Shields and Dan Gorman sold out and endorsed Madigan's pets. Sell out Bitches
where did Illinois' Obama Bucks go?????
There's nothing to think about. This is an attempt by the criminals in Springfield to steal from us. The various teachers' groups have been all over this. We're late to the party because FOP and PBPA are cozying up to the satanist Madigan.
Disability benefits come out of the pension fund. Many police officers deserve every penny they get from disability but I know of 3 that are just riding the gravy train.
Hopefully, during contract negotiations the union will not " forgive" the city from making some pension fund contributions.
Where was the pension board?
How about an amendment to cut alderman by 50% and no pension for part time employees(alderman)
put a gps in alderman cell phone , lets find out where they are 8 hours a day
Anonymous said...
Keep voting democratic, people...it's worked so well.
10/01/2012 12:44:00 AM
I love the simple stupidity.
If Republicans ran this state the Amendment would be a little clearer. It would just say all public pensions are void.
Somehow you fools think there is some party out there to help you. There ain't. You should clear this up in your mind before any election. No politician gives a fuck about you.
Why do you think the G is buying up hollow point ammo by the millions?
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The alternative media scored a huge victory last week with the joint coverage of the U.S. government's purchase of over one billion rounds of anti-personnel "hollow point" ammunition. The ammunition is to be use domestically, not by the military.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/036847_ammo_purchases_government_stockpiling_media_lies.html#ixzz283M3Y99n
SCC, Thanks for posting this important info. I was going to email and ask for its own posting. Again you show that your on top of it. Thanks !!
Madigan is NOT going to let you have a pension. Forgetaboutit.
Those mobbed up construction companies need that cash more than you.
The amendment should simply read "we stole all your money & don't want to give it back" I hate every politician in this shitty state
Makes you wonder why the FOP and other unions are not up in arms about this...
Because they are all bought and paid for with a nice little county job waiting for them.
Madigan... The new Daley... except Madigan can talk!!
hope everything works out for the 2 tac guys who were stripped in 004 for doing police work--- sounds like an IPRA beef if jagballs is saying excessive force was used when he was arrested--- get ready to sit down at 311 for a long time--- hopefully in a few years everything works out and you get a little unpaid vacation--- take it one day at a time....
Anonymous said...
OT- two 004 dist. Tac guys stripped last night for laying hands on a known offender w a gun - said gun recovered. Offender gets out of jail & goes to the convenience store (located at 76th Coles) where PO's grabbed him - store owner allows him to re-record the video. Offender puts video on you tube & we all know the rest...IAD, IPRA & eventually lawsuit - if they are lucky & articulate about their actions no federal charges. Be careful kids...Chicago has the most cameras in the country & that's not including what they make liquor establishments put up per their licensing agreements. These store owners in the ghetto ate working hand-in-hand with these people - they ARE NOT OUR FRIENDS!
I saw the video, the store owner can be heard directing the offender to the exact point where the incident occurred. Anyone responding to calls at this store should ensure they use caution and obey all traffic laws to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists in the area on the way. Insist that the store owner signs complaints prior to placing any hands on anyone...
Unfortunately, FOP endorsed Madigan. Many good points and proposals can look good on its face, but this State is soooo far gone and underwater, WE tend to lose out on any benefit from any proposition coming across the desks in Springfield. Such as he case with this latest scheme. The States unions won't allow it to pass, so politicos blame greedy union employees for Illinois problems. If the State gets away with it, eventually, so will the City.
Why doesn't anyone come up with a ballot referendum to eliminate half of Chicago's aldermen?
Oh, the mayor & speaker won't allow it.
If this passes they will never vote to increase any funding for pensions including paying what they owe already. They will call what they owe an increase.
Where does the FOP, PBPA stand on this? "Crickets" What is their next move, public service announcements, media Blitz? "Crickets"
Off the topic but American dead in Afghanistan hit 2000 in 11 year period. Chicago hit 400 ytd. At that rate we will have 4400 dead in 11 years. More than double the number in Afghanistan. The way they are treating Officers on this job, possibly cutting pensions and handing out 30 pendings for shit. Good luck Chicago. Most Officers will now be spectators and 4400 will be a given.
Having read what Google points me to on this measure, it looks sort of like the only thing the amendment does is to require 3/5 majority to increase benefits.
I'm not seeing anything that says this amendment will allow the legislature to reduce benefits already earned. I think in order to do that, they'd have to explicitly repeal the non-impairment clause, which remains in the constitution even if amendment 49 passes.
And remember folks: we've got an ace in the hole here - the same judge who will decide if amendment 49 sneakily repealed the non-impairment clause all have public pensions themselves. Not that they'd be biased by that . . . .
Do you really think that there is going to be a pension for much longer? Those that are actively employed can try to salvage what they can. Those who are retired..I don't know, but start looking at cat food prices.
no vote!
To vote against this amendment, or anything else, you need to be registered to actually vote.
Public employees, Police Officers, Firemen, and their families, are a tremendous block of voters. Unfortunately, not all are registered to vote.
Police Officers seem to avoid registering to vote as they are either afraid of, or are trying to avoid, jury duty. Why? I've been there numerous times and actually sat on a jury. Free day(s) away from this job you all seem to hate so much.
Need to register 30 days prior to an election. Time is running out to take the step of becoming a registered voter. Less than 10 days to the cut off.
If you are not registered or take the time to get out to the poll to vote, you have no right to complain about the results.
You can make a difference. Get registered. Get off your butts and VOTE!!!
OT- two 004 dist. Tac guys stripped last night for laying hands on a known offender w a gun - said gun recovered. Offender gets out of jail & goes to the convenience store (located at 76th Coles) where PO's grabbed him - store owner allows him to re-record the video. Offender puts video on you tube & we all know the rest...IAD, IPRA & eventually lawsuit - if they are lucky & articulate about their actions no federal charges. Be careful kids...Chicago has the most cameras in the country & that's not including what they make liquor establishments put up per their licensing agreements. These store owners in the ghetto ate working hand-in-hand with these people - they ARE NOT OUR FRIENDS!
10/01/2012 12:20:00 AM
That's why I drive around and write a couple of parking tickets, answer my calls, and give people their worthless reports. This job has been destroyed. For those of you that haven't figured it out yet like the two guys mentioned above, it's OVER. Your odds of lasting 20-30 years on this job are not good as it is. Don't gamble and up your odds of getting hurt, killed, fired, imprisoned or any combination of the aforementioned. The odds are already stacked against you to make it out of this circus in one piece with a pension. Pretending you can still be the police is a surefire way to lose everything.
They will cut the pensions, But somehow Quinn will find money to give to the "under privileged".
They aren't asking Daley to put in the 400,000.00 that he dodged from putting in to his pension fund are they?
Is this their "all in" to render the minimum pension funding law (scheduled to kick in next year if we remember correctly) moot?
Rahm was PISSED when Quinn signed off on that.
Quinn, being the jelly-fish that he is, left the window open for nearly two years to give Rahm & Co. time to figure out an end run around the law.
10/01/2012 12:39:00 AM
Rhamhole was Barry's chief of staff on April 14, 2010 when the minimum funding law was passed. He actually left the white house 2 years ago today. Rhamhole's return to Chicago was nothing more than a possibility during the months this bill was put together. Nobody likes the guy, you don't need to make shit up. And please don't tell me that the President's Chief of Staff was spending his time worrying about an IL pension bill during the push to get Nobamcare passed the House of Rep's on March 21, 2010.
If it is a legally binding contract, and one party purposefully neglects to honor that contract. Why can't we charge them criminally?
Wait til Lisa Madigan runs for Governor next term...then the REAL fun starts...
Greedy bastards, those mother f##kers in Springfield
Isn't our illustrious FOP president in the pension board as well. So what the Fuck is he doing there? Fucking us over while there then telling us he's helping the cause. That's like pissing on our backs and telling us its raining. What's going on Mike, we all thought u actually stood for something, turns out you're just in it for yourself, you Fucking Judas.
Offender puts video on you tube & we all know the rest...
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how does the video hurt a legit bust?
no offender is going to publicize his guilt.
the thing all politcians hate
a way to actually see how and when they voted
http://votesmart.org/
http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/6356/michael-madigan
just like carol sente she said sid mathais voted against waiting periods on firearms
guess what so did she!
it has everything
remeber in this day and age any thing thay say can come back and haunt them
(some just don't care)
so look first and then decide
Unions and FOP better get off their asses on this one and do some campaigning, demonstrations or actions. If not the local politicians will just have their door bell ringers tell the voters to vote for it
This would take all the protection from our pension thats included in the Illinois constitution about not being able to diminish our pension
Folks: the politicians you voted for made promises that were not capable of being kept but you kept voting for them anyway (good Irish last names, don't you know). The State doesn't have the money, the promises can't be kept.
they stole, borrowed against, poorly invested and mismanaged our funds for 20 years. CPD's hiring freeze for years lessoned the contributors too. We made our payments on time every two weeks. All we want is whats ours. Its nothing glamerous, a modest pension if you ask me. Barely able to survey after retirment pension but they make us out to be the back guys living large. They want to pretend that everything they did to our pension is in the past and sweep it under the carpet like it never happend and now we're going to get hit even harder if Springfield has there way. All the while the lazy dog ass SSI and Welfare leaches spend there whole lives unemployed by choice and live life like as if they were on a fully paid lifetime vacation. Digusting!
For at least 4 years I have occasionally posted that I believe that the pension fund will go belly up sometime between 2018- 2022. I have given many reasons-- gold braid pension, contracts that " forgave" city contributions, pension advisors who are grossly inept or just corrupt. The last time I posted I was responded to by an individual who told be to have my " grabber" and that the pension fund was guaranteed by the Illinois constitution. I will stick to my forecast.
old retired guy
Time to rid the FOP of this useless "president", it is clear that junior can't handle it. His incompetence has been proven over and over again. How do we initiate a recall?
Charge the Mayor and City Council with Official Misconduct and force their hand before they change the rules.
Madigan belongs in prison!
Breaking The Social Contracts. or When is a Law Not A law!
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USPS again defaults on health care payment
"For the second time in two months, the U.S. Postal Service has defaulted on a legally required payment into a fund for future retiree health care benefits.
The $5.6 billion payment was due Sunday. USPS executives, who had long acknowledged that they lacked the money to cover it, again stressed last week that normal operations would not be affected.
“We will continue to deliver the mail and pay our suppliers,” spokesman Dave Partenheimer said in a statement, adding that health benefits for current employees and retirees will also remain untouched.
The payment for fiscal 2012 is required under the 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act as part of a plan to ensure adequate funding for future retirees’ health care; in August, the Postal Service failed to make the $5.5 billion installment for fiscal 2011. That payment was originally due in September 2011, but Congress postponed it..."
more at above link.
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hahaha.
So the USPS only skipped $11.2 billion dollars in retiree health care payments so far. How long can this charade go on? Oh don't worry, this won't effect current workers or retirees...THIS MONTH..haha..
Yeah and they say: "service will not be affected" as we steal your future DUMB-AZZES!
After the skipped payments number accumulates to a crisis level you can use that crisis to force cuts while you claim to be the hero trying to save something. Use that crisis as leverage to win the hearts and minds. JUST KEEP WORKING..
So we think that the law is there to protect us eh? No consequence here just like no consequence for the bankers that began this economic collapse.
At what point are the workers that agreed to a certain wage because the offered job benefits were great but the benefits are now just an illusion because employers decide on whim not to fund them - at what point do they all wake up?
I would guess there is not more of an uproar because the USPS workers don't see the immediate impact of the theft in their take home pay.
The Reach Around.
It's like how Illinois robbed the Federal Payroll FICA tax break from the people paying into Social Security with the State Income Tax increase.
Workers in Illinois never saw the Fed tax cut because Illinois immediately offset the Fed cut with the State Income Tax increase and you don't miss what you never had right?
Where'd that FICA (social security) money go from those maneuvers? From the social security accounts of private sector workers to prop-up Illinois public pension funds?
Wake up Illinois, they are breaking the social contracts.
When the people of Illinois figure this out they are not going to be happy campers. Their pension money being taken to fund public pensions of CPD, CFD and all the public workers in the state!
Then on top of it all as if that is not bad enough now politicians are going to cut social security and medicare benefits!
Bullshit!
Everyone had better recalculate what you need to save for retirement. By the time you get done with the investment losses from interest rate manipulations destroying the ROI on your retirement accounts and the increase in co-pays and health care cost coming down the pipe you may just end up living retirement in poverty.
Health care expense have been rising at close to 10% per year for the last ten years. Has your health insurance plans increased their max coverage by 10% per year? If not you're taking a benefit cut thru inflation.
Employers see this cost rise and are shifting the health care expense onto the workers with increased co-pays and other cuts. Be aware of that in the contract proposals.
ALL CPD members, children, spouses, friends and neighbours VOTE NO!!!
FOP let's start ai informative campaign to stop this and post names of all who voted for this.
There is nothing TO discuss!
If this is passed, the state legislature will have unlimited power to further rape and pillage the pension systems of Illinois employees!
If they come after us, they'll be coming after you NEXT.
VOTE NO!
Anonymous said...
WOW !
I don't know where to start.
If you think the polititions of this most corrupt city, county, state will ever stop trying to steal your pensions.....you're an idiot.
The social safety net : soc sec, pensions, medicare, welfare, etc... were ponzi schems from the start and anybody with advanced math skills will tell you that.
The polititions were well aware of this and stole as much as they could knowing it would fail anyway.
I know you don't want to hear this but, we are fucked and there is NO solution.
10/01/2012 01:18:00 AM
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Like any ponzi scam you need a continuous flow of new ponzi's entering the scam in order to pay off the old ponzi's and those that have wised up.
Why do you think the politicians are all gun-ho and pro-immigration?!
However the problem is that it's mathematically impossible to have exponential growth into infinity -- year after year when you live in a world of finite resources.
Michael Madigan refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2012 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.
that's nice mike
what it is
http://votesmart.org/about/political-courage-test
Voting.
How many chances does one get to change the political system within the laws over their lifetime?
Assuming you live to age 78 and can vote at the age of 18 that's 60 years. Divide by 4 the election term and you get a lousy 15 chances to vote for change.
Considering that it may take several election terms to get the message across to the representation I would suggest not to waste your chances to vote.
Many people already wasted more than half of those opportunities. Don't wait until you only have a handful of them left to decide to vote.
Send these people a message.
Lifetime career political positions that act like Royal families needs to end in my opinion.
Vote the incumbents out. We want Democracy and not a Royal Monarchy don't we? Think about that. Only 15 shots to create real change and it may take more than one shot so don't waste those chances and regret it later.
article on amend 49 is almost a month old. Wtf. Was the fop too busy bs'ing with the retiree amendment to bother addressing this?
10/01/2012 01:00:00 AM
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Hey mush that was passed last May during the run up to NATO when the FOP was telling anyone that would listen what was going on in the capitol.
But judging by your ignorant statement I would say that your another uninformed moron that doesn't get involved in shit and only does what other people tell you to.
Hey slick are you even a registered active voter or another moron that just bitches.
Vote for Illinois green party! The Dems and Republucans are out to destroy us.
Why the fuck am I learning about this from a BLOG (no offense SCC) and not my own fucking union president who also happens to be my pension board rep???
What the fuck are you doing, Mikey? Besides missing deadlines, firing secretaries and trying to throw people out of the union because of your fuckups.
Seriously. Enough is fucking enough.
"Union members despite these efforts against them are organizing for the election next month, to support the entire Democrat ticket."
Here in lies the problem, people vote strictly along party lines, for years you were told by Unions that you HAD to vote Democrat. Nobody votes for the best candidate anymore they vote for the party. Case in point, Rep Derrick Smith caught and indicted by the Feds for taking a bribe and expelled by the Illinois house. He currently leads in the polls with 80% of the vote. When asked why he was leading, the overwhelming response was "we always vote democrat." The democratic party in Cook County could elect a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich if it was on the ballot. That is the problem people.
WASHINGTON — Regardless of who wins the presidential election in November or what compromises Congress strikes in the lame-duck session to keep the economy from automatic tax increases and spending cuts, 160 million American wage earners will probably see their tax bills jump after Jan. 1.
That is when the temporary payroll tax holiday ends. Its expiration means less income in families’ pocketbooks — the tax increase would be about $95 billion in 2013 alone — at a time when the economy is little better than it was when the White House reached a deal on the tax break last year.
Independent analysts say that the expiration of the tax cut could shave as much as a percentage point off economic output in 2013, and cost the economy as many as one million jobs. That is because the typical American family had $1,000 in additional income from the lower tax.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/payroll-tax-cut-unlikely-survive-151602782.html
The payroll tax is more commonly known as the FICA tax. It's the money that people pay into social security and medicare.
But Illinoisans never saw this tax break as Gov Quinn and Springfield took the additional income away with the Illinois State Income tax increase.
So now, now that the Federal payroll tax break is likely to expire Illinoisans will see the hit in their take home pay.
Washington can get the blame as Illinois politicians slipped in the tax increase. Get it?
Not a cop but this is alarming. Facebook kid steals idea, then boosts his stock, in the meantime, "angel investors", wink wink are allowed in. One guy put 500k in, when the thief was allowed to sell, he took home 400 MILLION. And you think the rules would allow anyone to get in on that action? Hell no. Same with pensions. I do not and will never receive one, but the last one in the room please pick up the pens. It is a race to the bottom. One of Madigans ex secretary, I am not lying, her max pay was 38k, somehow she ended up with a gig at Chicago Teachers Union making 193k. Her pension benefit with Cadillac health care is over 130k. Did not take bullets, or jump into a burning bldg or get spit on trying to save a life. That would piss me off.
ARE YOU BETTER OFF THAN 4 YEARS AGO?
Obama ran up $5 trillion dollars of debt. Bailed out banks and corporations to "save us"
Obama is said to have created 4 million jobs as a result of this spending. We lost 4 mil. jobs prior to Obama taking office and the 4 million that were created mostly pay lower wages. This is growth? I think not. We are not even at break even.
Just because Wall Street stocks have been bailed out thru Washington and the Federal Reserve Bank policies does not translate into growth for the middle class.
What happens to those jobs as this money runs out? This is not organic growth to GDP. It's artificial growth financed by debt, printing money, in effect counterfeiting.
Take $5 trillion dollars of government spending out of the economy, see what happens and tell me we are growing and on a continued path of recovery. Yeah right. Who's gonna do the spending to replace that amount of money?
The bills are coming in and the scam is about to collapse.
If you can get out do so. It's harder to fuck with retired guys than guys who will retire later. Nothing is a given even retired guys will sweat it out. The civil war / revolution is coming!!!
10:43 Because its not a crime You can try and sue, but your cant criminally charge anyone who doesnt honor a contract. What you dont honor a gym contract or auto purchase contract and you go to jail. No way As in a car they just reposess the car
whats the link to the video of the guys in 004? or the youtube title?
Anonymous said...
Thats right, the productive citizens are the problem and not the waste of space mutts that live off the gov't for generations.
====================================
Let's not forget the mutts at Sears, CME, Motorola, Chase, JP Morgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, United Air Lines, American Airlines, GM and Chrysler, etc...that get one government handout after another because they cannot compete on a global scale.
How long will the last round of trillion dollar bailout money last before they are back for more?
Oh and all the WalMart workers that are not paid enough to feed themselves as Government subsidizes them with food stamps so the WalMart exec's can get a higher bonus and the company appear more profitable.
Who do we blame there? The workers being on food stamps or the corporation for exploiting the workers and paying off the politicians for favors in return?
The system is badly broken. We have PHd's working as janitors because the so-called best and brightest cannot figure out how to create jobs for them to leverage their true talents.
We are distracted with fabricated unemployment numbers designed to show things are getting better. However try looking up the disability claims being filed by people that were on unemployment, it's run out and this is there last hope for survival.
Disability claims were growing faster than the so-called jobs being created last time I checked.
As Rahm spews claims about shortages of workers to do welding, mechanics, machinist, for aviation companies and need for health care workers I challenge you to Google for the current layoffs going on in those same industries. American Airlines just announced 11,000 layoffs. What shortage?
Health care workers? How many mental health care clinics did Rahm and Quinn shut down. Family services? 300 DCFS workers in Illinois were just cut.
But most of all the question that should be asked when the politicians tout job creation is what kind of jobs, temp or perm? Do they pay a living wage and have benefits.
I'm sick of how we're told to look at GM and how we saved them from disaster. While the autoworkers union is being busted and the starting jobs wage scale there is now at min-wage poverty level. Oh look at the jobs we created ha.
What I do not understand is that if the pension is guaranteed by the State Constitution and that constitution can only be opened by popular vote once every 20 years, how can they try and end around it?
Will some lawyers types here please explain this.
I mean, if they could end around this pension issue of the costitution what makes anyone of this state beleive that that constitution is safe from them changing any other part of it by having a Constitutional Amendment added/changed anytime they choose.
Can't this be challenged constitutionally?
I thought that those protections of the state constitution were in place for a reason.
Wouldn't it be the same as trying to change the US constituion in the same manner, i.e when the politicians decide that they don't like something in it just change it?
Answers please.
Unions and FOP better get off their asses on this one
How about TV ads telling everyone to vote NO!!!
My question is, when do we all stop being complacent about this? Why do we all just take what the politicians give us? Time to do more than just complain.
Why would anyone in this state give the Madigan/Cullerton combine any more power. Just look at their thirty year record as leaders of the state......the highest tax rate in the country and no money to show for it.
New and Future Retirees. If this passes you'll never see your COLA pass.
if true residency goes too!
Anonymous said...
Disability benefits come out of the pension fund. Many police officers deserve every penny they get from disability but I know of 3 that are just riding the gravy train.
10/01/2012 08:19:00 AM
Especially the LUG NUT Queen.
You wanted Hope & Change when you voted for Mike Shields. Ya got it,now enjoy the f#cking over we are gonna get. No pension and major loss of benefits,20% pay cut...
Our police union has retained former FOP President to oversee the day-to-day dealings on pension reforms, for a lucrative salary on top of his pension but FOP members are still in dark on what exactly is going on. Hey FOP can you put out a 10-1 bulletin, email or call a special union meeting that invites all involved unions together to discuss this matter? FOP what you say?
311 and detention aids just settled the contract. Arbitrator ruled 6 percent for 4 years and agrees the city is too broke to afford retro pay. This means we will not get retro. If we go to arbitration this ruling will be cited by the city. So don't hold your breath for a retro check. We will keep duty availability but loose uniform checks to a voucher system
If it is a legally binding contract, and one party purposefully neglects to honor that contract. Why can't we charge them criminally?
10/01/2012 10:43:00 AM
Let us know what the ilcs statute is for criminal enforcement of a civil contract. Apples and oranges.
just for info, quinn wants the feds to bail out the funds. this is the dems trying to buy votes, do you trust them? also last year they gave the imf 100 billion to help the europeans. ny has been bailed out by the fed more than once. we give money to people who hate us over seas. things need to change or its going down to dump. they complain about us, what about the senators and congressmen in dc? they go off with nice pension and medical. dont throw stones if you live in a glass house.
So we gotta BOHICA, while shortshanks, his nephews, madigan and others keep taking and getting.
It's over. Wormer dropped the big one.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
OT- two 004 dist. Tac guys stripped last night for laying hands on a known offender w a gun - said gun recovered. Offender gets out of jail & goes to the convenience store (located at 76th Coles) where PO's grabbed him - store owner allows him to re-record the video. Offender puts video on you tube & we all know the rest...IAD, IPRA & eventually lawsuit - if they are lucky & articulate about their actions no federal charges. Be careful kids...Chicago has the most cameras in the country & that's not including what they make liquor establishments put up per their licensing agreements. These store owners in the ghetto ate working hand-in-hand with these people - they ARE NOT OUR FRIENDS!
10/01/2012 12:20:00 AM
Keep working hard and do those street stops and traffic stops. Keep being pro-active. The city and bosses have your back. If someone can please post the link to youtube that would be great.
I guess these f____sticks could have said something when I was starting my career.
To hell with them, they can start with all their pensions first, until then don"t even think about stealing my money for my retirement.
Anonymous said...
If it is a legally binding contract, and one party purposefully neglects to honor that contract. Why can't we charge them criminally?
10/01/2012 10:43:00 AM
--
Are you retarded?
---------------
So say they pass the Amendment.
Question#1: What is required to pass an amendment in Illinois? (Federally it is a 4/5 vote or whatever)
Question#2: If it is passed, what does that exactly mean? Meaning - can they fuck with benefits earned prior to the passing of the amendment?
Question #3: Where are they going with this? Meaning, if a cop has 20 years on he earned 50% - what will they do to this? Try to say it is not only 10% for example?
Can someone shed some light - I am a bit lost here.
article on amend 49 is almost a month old. Wtf. Was the fop too busy bs'ing with the retiree amendment to bother addressing this?
10/01/2012 01:00:00 AM
############
###########
Hey mush that was passed last May during the run up to NATO when the FOP was telling anyone that would listen what was going on in the capitol.
But judging by your ignorant statement I would say that your another uninformed moron that doesn't get involved in shit and only does what other people tell you to.
Hey slick are you even a registered active voter or another moron that just bitches.
10/01/2012 03:27:00 PM
Hey douchebag, you can rest assure that I am registered to vote. And actually vote.
What I rely on my union to do is keep me informed. Am I attending every legislative session or even reading their minutes? No. It's called a life. Wife, side job, kids, oh yeah, WORK, etc.
I just went back to the MAY 2012 fop news letter. He's all that our illustrious president tucked into his recap of the legislative session and he didn't even give it it's own paragraph. So take your comment and shove it up your ass.
"House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 49 was unanimously passed through the House. If this passes out of
the Legislature, the measure will be placed on the November ballot. If the measure is approved Constitutional Amendment will require a 3/5 majority
vote in the Legislature, as well as at any local unit of government for a pension benefit enhancement. Even more troubling to the Lodge is the inclusion of broad based language that could be interpreted
to impede future collective bargaining processes by requiring a 3/5 majority to approve such items as an Arbitrator’s Award. If this measure is approved
by the voters, will City Hall interpret this Amendment to be a mandate to have at least 30 of 50 Aldermen vote in favor of an Arbitrator’s Award?"
Seems like Mikey missed the whole fucking point of Amendment 49. Like the news article that SCC linked, "Thus, Amendment 49 overrules the current Constitutional safeguard known as the “non-impairment provision” in Article XIII, sec. 5, of the Illinois Constitution."
Thank God Mikey isn't running again for pension rep. He's already fucked us over in the union AND our pension.
I was googling around a bit, and here is Cullerton's site, or at least an Il site. Here is one thing on the site that caught my eye. "Can the General Assembly force workers to pay more of their income for the same level of benefits? The law firms of DLA Piper and Jenner & Block have said no."
Anyway - maybe the site is just making their case that the Il COnst. needs to be amended. But, as it stands now, it seems pensions cannot be messed with.
http://www.senatedem.ilga.gov/index.php/component/content/article/108-public-information-brochures/1517-pension-debate
Nice try Gorman:
Hey mush that was passed last May during the run up to NATO when the FOP was telling anyone that would listen what was going on in the capitol.
But judging by your ignorant statement I would say that your another uninformed moron that doesn't get involved in shit and only does what other people tell you to.
Hey slick are you even a registered active voter or another moron that just bitches.
10/01/2012 03:27:00 PM
There has not been a peep about this legislation from any of you. But i'm sure you'll get your talking points from Madigan and be ready to respond in your next newsletter.
OT: P.O. From 011 suffered a brain aneurysm a few weeks ago.. He is in and out of hospital . Lets keep him in our prayers .
http://www.senatedem.ilga.gov/index.php/component/content/article/108-public-information-brochures/1517-pension-debate
I was readin the briefs on this site (above).
It's interesting: Sidley and Austin said the State can diminish UNEARNED benefits.
However another law firm said pretty adamently the State can't diminish benefits either already earned or YET TO BE EARNED. The state must honor whatever contract was in effect when the cop STARTED employment.
Don't know who is right but read the "Devito Response." Interesting.
What I do not understand is that if the pension is guaranteed by the State Constitution and that constitution can only be opened by popular vote once every 20 years, how can they try and end around it?
Will some lawyers types here please explain this.
THE THIRD ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION was adopted in 1870. It proved so difficult to replace that it endured for a century. The next state constitutional convention added a provision that Illinois voters would given the option to consider holding a new state constitutional convention every twenty years as an effort to redress the problems experienced in trying to replace the 1870 constitution. Having the opportunity to conduct a new constitutional convention put to a referendum every two decades is not the same as having the voters consider a single constitutional amendment. That is what the proposed amendment 49 is a lone amendment. It does not throw open the entire Illinois Constitution of 1970 for reconsideration. That being said, no public employee in his or her right mind should vote for this proposed amendment. VOTE "NO" ON 49.
People, get a clue. FOP PBPA is NOT involved in this amendment. This is on the ballot. You do not need the union to hold your hand on this. Actually, if you looked at the ILGA.GOV website, this amendment was started in the beginning of the year. It is up to each of us to be vigilant against our state politicians regardless of their party affiliation. We must be aware and informed. Only then will we be able to stand up for ourselves.
BOTTOM LINE: tell everyone who can vote to VOTE NO!
And yet we have coppers that put Madigan signs in their own lawns!!!! Why???
The pension is the least of your worries. Read this. Over the top? Yes. Impossible? No.
http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/09/25/alternatives-to-a-bugout-location-what-you-should-consider/
Every person will face an ugly new reality when life as we know it vanishes. It’s coming. Soon. It might be a slow crawl decline or a rapid descent into nightmarish conditions. Various scenarios now flit threateningly across the horizon. If we’re brave enough to peer into the abyss, we can see some of these events bordering on fruition. Most are unnerving; some will be paralyzing. Regardless of the fright factor, we must examine individually how to handle these looming crises. When they strike, people without a plan in place, will die
Sat through the police pension hearing at the City Council today. Embarassed to have those goofs representing us. Kept sucking up to Tiny Dancer even though he wasn't there.
Ald. Tunney questioned the # of active members listed at 12,300+ and the Ex Director had to admit it is under 11,000. FINALLY!!! Someone held feet to the fire to get a straight answer as to how many cops there aren't!
THANK YOU ALDERMAN TUNNEY.
Tunney also questioned the # in the "Tier 2" plan listed at 49. He said, "I thought we'd been hiring cops. When do you put them in the system?" The Ex Dir mumbled a bit and said 2012 hires weren't reflected, just one class in 2011.
Then Tunney asked, "So how many officers are eligible to retire tomorrow with a pension." At first the Ex Dir said 3000, then revised it to 3,200 officers. Tunney's retort was, "So you're saying more than a quarter -- almost a third -- of all current officers could retire tomorrow?" "Yes" was the response.
He also questioned the performance returns and said they were low.
Cochran said cops shouldn't be worried about their pensions, they should be treated like combat veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq as that similar to what they face everyday.
Most the other alderpeeps were grandstanding.
More tomorrow, have to get to roll call. I managed to get an extra copy of the presentation so will give #s or how can I scan and email to SCC?
"article on amend 49 is almost a month old. Wtf. Was the fop too busy bs'ing with the retiree amendment to bother addressing this?"
No they were too busy going to bat for the 4 political hacks that were left off the recent sgts list.
"Disability benefits come out of the pension fund. Many police officers deserve every penny they get from disability but I know of 3 that are just riding the gravy train"
I'm more concerned about the 200+ former Gold Stars draining our pension dry than 3 Disability POs. Let's get our priorities straight.
listen friends , no raises for any city workers until ballerina shores up our pension fund . if this doesn't happen the pension will be bankrupt by 2032 and no more cola raises .
Health care for all retired city workers is gone June 2013 .
Woo Hoo! Three months of retro pay on the books so far !
"Why do you think the G is buying up hollow point ammo by the millions?"
I don't know, but I know why I'm stockpiling ammo...
All the comments are all over the place. the only important and effective thing to do is rally the NO VOTE in November. That's all. Any one not registered to vote is part of the problem (no excuse is valid, none) Worry about getting everyone you know to vote NO that's all. Right now and until Nov NOTHING ELSE is more important.
We really should'nt be fucked with.............
My question is, when do we all stop being complacent about this? Why do we all just take what the politicians give us? Time to do more than just complain.
10/01/2012 05:25:00 PM
We can start by voting for the new police pension board trustee this October! Then make sure to vite no to this amendment in November. Don't be complacent.
So the USPS only skipped $11.2 billion dollars in retiree health care payments so far. How long can this charade go on? Oh don't worry, this won't effect current workers or retirees...THIS MONTH..haha..
Yeah and they say: "service will not be affected" as we steal your future DUMB-AZZES!
After the skipped payments number accumulates to a crisis level you can use that crisis to force cuts while you claim to be the hero trying to save something. Use that crisis as leverage to win the hearts and minds. JUST KEEP WORKING..
So we think that the law is there to protect us eh? No consequence here just like no consequence for the bankers that began this economic collapse.
At what point are the workers that agreed to a certain wage because the offered job benefits were great but the benefits are now just an illusion because employers decide on whim not to fund them - at what point do they all wake up?.....
--------------------------
You're wrong on this one. The USPS will be fine. Congress forced them to pay this ridiculous amount each year in an attempt to break up the federal service and privatize it. They succeeded in privatizing portions of it however since they did not get to take it all they required this large payment every year in an attempt to bankrupt them. That's the true reach around.
The USPS pension fund is probably the only pension fundnin the US that is funded. They have over 75 years worth of money to pay all employees and their grandchildren! Do a little more research and you'll see this is true.
Having read what Google points me to on this measure, it looks sort of like the only thing the amendment does is to require 3/5 majority to increase benefits.
I'm not seeing anything that says this amendment will allow the legislature to reduce benefits already earned. I think in order to do that, they'd have to explicitly repeal the non-impairment clause, which remains in the constitution even if amendment 49 passes.
And remember folks: we've got an ace in the hole here - the same judge who will decide if amendment 49 sneakily repealed the non-impairment clause all have public pensions themselves. Not that they'd be biased by that . . . .
10/01/2012 09:59:00 AM
I wouldn't have false confidence about what they can and cannot do. There are typically few increases to a police mans pension besides COLA but if we receive raise over the years will our pension be frozen at a certain level? The fact that this mend meant is so ambiguous and gives control to the "governing body," in this case the City, is alarming. Why does the constitution need to be changed? Because it benefits workers with a pension? Absolutely.
It wasn't rushed through people. This is what angers me regarding both our pension board and union officers responsibilities. This bill was filed in early April, 2012. It has been adopted by both Houses as of late May 2012. The pension committees heard the reading of this on April 17, 2012. Is not the FOP supposed to have a pension committee that is to be notified/and or allowed to put forth their opinion regarding bills that affect pensions? If so, where were they? Why havent they notified and mobilized the members?
The bill's chief sponsor is Sen. John Cullerton. Alternate co-chief sponsors are, Senators Jeffrey Schoenberg, Iris Martinez, Kimberley Lightford and William Haine.
I am just flummoxed that this is the first time we are hearing about this. Thanks to a regular cop posting the information instead of our union or pension board. The representation we have in both offices is completely and utterly useless. Depending on them is an exercise in futility. Best to be your own attorney, pension trustee, and union officer because these folks just take money and let the important things slip through, I.e. contract negotiation deadline and now this. Unbelievable.
10/01/2012 01:56:00 AM
Yes thanks for the info and to the 012th District Officer who's running for the pension board trustee. You got my vote lady!
John the old retired guy....shut the fuck up. Enjoy retirement. We know u are the smartest of us all. Shut up already and take some fiber pills.
Anonymous said...
New and Future Retirees. If this passes you'll never see your COLA pass.
10/01/2012 05:58:00 PM
Donahue announced at an FOP meeting a couple of years ago, when the next 3% COLA didn't get passed, that the people in Springfield declared that there will be no new pension enhancements passed that were not properly funded.
To get the COLA for those born after Jan 1, 1955, expect to pay another .5% or so in contributions.
Anonymous said...
What I do not understand is that if the pension is guaranteed by the State Constitution and that constitution can only be opened by popular vote once every 20 years, how can they try and end around it?
Will some lawyers types here please explain this.
I mean, if they could end around this pension issue of the costitution what makes anyone of this state beleive that that constitution is safe from them changing any other part of it by having a Constitutional Amendment added/changed anytime they choose.
Can't this be challenged constitutionally?
I thought that those protections of the state constitution were in place for a reason.
Wouldn't it be the same as trying to change the US constituion in the same manner, i.e when the politicians decide that they don't like something in it just change it?
Answers please.
10/01/2012 04:56:00 PM
This is exactly what the City of Chicago paid law firm Sidley & Austin to figure out, how to do an end around to the Illinois Constitution. The City got the blueprint for how to do it. The advice given by Sidley & Austin is a deep secret, paid for with our tax money.
Anonymous said...
Voting.
How many chances does one get to change the political system within the laws over their lifetime?
Assuming you live to age 78 and can vote at the age of 18 that's 60 years. Divide by 4 the election term and you get a lousy 15 chances to vote for change.
Considering that it may take several election terms to get the message across to the representation I would suggest not to waste your chances to vote.
Many people already wasted more than half of those opportunities. Don't wait until you only have a handful of them left to decide to vote.
Send these people a message.
Lifetime career political positions that act like Royal families needs to end in my opinion.
Vote the incumbents out. We want Democracy and not a Royal Monarchy don't we? Think about that. Only 15 shots to create real change and it may take more than one shot so don't waste those chances and regret it later.
10/01/2012 03:20:00 PM
If you knew how few police officers were even registered to vote you would realize you are wasting your breath. How does around 30% sound? Politicians know this and know that we are insignificant as a voting force. We do not even register much less get out there on election day. So why not screw the police? We don't even vote in any significant numbers.
Anonymous said...
So the USPS only skipped $11.2 billion dollars in retiree health care payments so far. How long can this charade go on? Oh don't worry, this won't effect current workers or retirees...THIS MONTH..haha..
Yeah and they say: "service will not be affected" as we steal your future DUMB-AZZES!
After the skipped payments number accumulates to a crisis level you can use that crisis to force cuts while you claim to be the hero trying to save something. Use that crisis as leverage to win the hearts and minds. JUST KEEP WORKING..
So we think that the law is there to protect us eh? No consequence here just like no consequence for the bankers that began this economic collapse.
At what point are the workers that agreed to a certain wage because the offered job benefits were great but the benefits are now just an illusion because employers decide on whim not to fund them - at what point do they all wake up?.....
--------------------------
You're wrong on this one. The USPS will be fine. Congress forced them to pay this ridiculous amount each year in an attempt to break up the federal service and privatize it. They succeeded in privatizing portions of it however since they did not get to take it all they required this large payment every year in an attempt to bankrupt them. That's the true reach around.
The USPS pension fund is probably the only pension fundnin the US that is funded. They have over 75 years worth of money to pay all employees and their grandchildren! Do a little more research and you'll see this is true.
10/02/2012 01:20:00 AM
True. It's very well-funded, so no worries about payouts.
The question is, how does an entity, ANY entity, simply choose not to pay its obligation and get away with that?
The IL Constitution (up to 3 amendments) can be amended in any election.
An amendment is put on a separate ballot. It must be approved by a majority of the total votes or a 3/5 majority of those who cast votes on the amendment.
The voters can put an Amendment to vote if they obtain signatures totaling at least 8% of the total votes in the last governor election. But these voter-amendments only apply to the legislature (Article 6). The pension clause is in Article 8, so any amendment must come directly from the legislature.
The legislature can put an Amendment to vote if they obtain a 3/5 majority in both houses. The amendment must still get a majority of total votes or 3/5 majority of votes cast on the amendment.
But this Amendment cannot be on the next ballot. The Secretary of State must mail a copy of any Amendment to all voters at least one month before the election.
This has been tried before in attempts to exempt veterans from taxes. They have all failed. Most people don't bother voting on the Amendment, which means 3/5 of those who do must vote in favor.
Do other public employees have COLAS? Teachers, firemen, Streets and San, Alderman, State Reps etc. What are they saying about this Rahm - Quinn BS. It seems the only ones concerned about it are the Police.
The amendment is an illegal subterfuge to the Illinois Constitution!,,, and can be challenged!,
I just received the referendum proposal change from the State of Illinois in the U.S. Mail this morning.
Remind everyone to VOTE NO on November 6th!!!
Open the door for one constitutional amendment and you open the door for many. You dont need a constitutional conventionto reduce pensions.
For at least 4 years I have occasionally posted that I believe that the pension fund will go belly up sometime between 2018- 2022. I have given many reasons-- gold braid pension, contracts that " forgave" city contributions, pension advisors who are grossly inept or just corrupt. The last time I posted I was responded to by an individual who told be to have my " grabber" and that the pension fund was guaranteed by the Illinois constitution. I will stick to my forecast.
old retired guy
10/01/2012 01:12:00 PM
I do not agree with you. I think the pension funds for police and fire will be saved, but grosssly altered. Health care for retirees will be effected as will cost of living raises. There will be reductions for all. That might not save the fund in the long run, but it will prolong the collapse for many years.
I thought that judges pension system is exempt from any changes they might have to rule on, you know, so they can be fair.
This is exactly what the City of Chicago paid law firm Sidley & Austin to figure out, how to do an end around to the Illinois Constitution. The City got the blueprint for how to do it. The advice given by Sidley & Austin is a deep secret, paid for with our tax money.
It’s not secret – posted right here
http://www.senatedem.ilga.gov/index.php/component/content/article/108-public-information-brochures/1517-pension-debate
If you knew how few police officers were even registered to vote you would realize you are wasting your breath. How does around 30% sound? Politicians know this and know that we are insignificant as a voting force. We do not even register much less get out there on election day. So why not screw the police? We don't even vote in any significant numbers.
10/02/2012 05:14:00 AM
I am so SICK of comments like this. Please point to your proof of the numbers you cite. EVERY cop I know is registered and they VOTE. So, stop parroting this nonsense unless you can back it up with facts.
"If it is a legally binding contract, and one party purposefully neglects to honor that contract. Why can't we charge them criminally?"
You can't charge them criminally, but can we hold them civilly liable?
Tricky Dick Daley knew for years that the pensions were in trouble (well, not his), but continued business as usual.
His fiscal malfeasance needs to be addressed.
VOTE NO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chicago teachers have only been paying 2% into their pension fund for the last 8-10 years. The city was paying both the teachers and the cities share under agreement. I believe that that agreement expires next year which would mean a large increase ( paycut) for teachers. Their fund is grossly underfunded and closer to collapse then the police and fire.
"I am so SICK of comments like this. Please point to your proof of the numbers you cite. EVERY cop I know is registered and they VOTE. So, stop parroting this nonsense unless you can back it up with facts.
10/02/2012 06:51:00 PM"
My understanding the FOP keeps track of these statistics, it's pretty easy compare members to to Board of Elections registered voters. Hell you can't get 50% to vote in the FOP elections.
Anonymous said...
If you knew how few police officers were even registered to vote you would realize you are wasting your breath. How does around 30% sound? Politicians know this and know that we are insignificant as a voting force. We do not even register much less get out there on election day. So why not screw the police? We don't even vote in any significant numbers.
10/02/2012 05:14:00 AM
I am so SICK of comments like this. Please point to your proof of the numbers you cite. EVERY cop I know is registered and they VOTE. So, stop parroting this nonsense unless you can back it up with facts.
10/02/2012 06:51:00 PM
======================
This B.S. is coming from the FOP.
Mikey and crew had a FOP Rep meeting over the summer to talk about thier contract proposals.
First thing you do when you walk in the door at the hall is to sign in to get credit for attending the meeting.
Well, they had these females sitting there and you signed in but were not signing in for a meeting but rather signing up to be Deputy Voter Registers.
The first 90 minutes of the meeting was all about how to register folks to vote.
According to Mikey and crew, (of course they did not disclose the number/percent of P.O.'s not registered) there are a great number of officers not registered to vote.
The whole meeting was smoke and mirrors and many walked out.
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