Important announcements will be placed on this page. Please check this page from time to time for items of special interest to Illinois Retired Teachers.
TCSECU SCHOLARSHIP FOR 2019-2020 ACADEMIC YEAR
January 2019 Tazewell County School Employees Credit Union offers two Illinois Central College scholarships for $1000 per semester. The scholarships are to be used for tuition and/or books. Scholarship applicants must be members of TCSECU or the child or grandchild of a TCSECU member. This year a special award in the amount of $3000 for more scholarships has been added in honor of Russell Trowbridge, a long time educator in Pekin and the surrounding area. For information on how to apply for these scholarships call Kevin Freeman, President, TCSECU, at 309-347-6013. EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION GRANTS FOR TEACHERS
January 2019 Dear IRTA Unit Presidents and Foundation The Illinois Retired Teachers Association (IRTA) Foundation is offering a total of $36,500 in grant money to public school educators (Pre-K through 12) for special classroom projects statewide. In order to apply for the grant, public school educators must download, complete, and submit the application online from the IRTA website (www.irtaonline.org). Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2019. Please encourage public school educators to apply for this grant money. If you have any questions, please contact Tricia Klim, IRTA Member Services Coordinator, by phone at 1.800.728.4782 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Sincerely, James A. Bachman IRTA Executive Director IRTA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES
January 14, 2019 Dear Unit Presidents and Foundation Chairs, The 2019/2020 application and current guidelines for the IRTA Foundation Scholarship are posted on the IRTA website at www.irtaonline.org and located under the Foundation tab. All public Community Colleges in Illinois have been made aware of the Scholarship Program as well as the major public Illinois Universities. Applications can also be obtained by contacting Susan Goetz at the IRTA office. Please make your members aware of the Foundation Scholarship Program and remind them that the deadline to postmark applications is March 7, 2019. These scholarships are available to incoming Junior or Seniors in college enrolled in a Teacher Education Program. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Goetz at [email protected] or call 1.800.728.4782. Sincerely, Roger Hampton Foundation Chair ARIZONA PENSION RULING
Dec 21 at 10:23 AM 2018 FROM JIM BACHMAN Dear IRTA Members, You may have read recently in the Chicago Tribune that: twice in recent years, voters in Arizona have voted to amend their state's constitution to cut pension benefits for public employees to rescue ailing retirement funds. Arizona's state constitution contains language like the language in the Illinois constitution saying public pension benefits, once granted, can't be "diminished or impaired." And the courts in Arizona, like the courts in Illinois, had routinely batted down legislative efforts to reduce promised pension payments to retirees. Could something similar happen here in Illinois, home of the nation's biggest unfunded pension liability? I'm pleased to report to you, that the answer is no. On your behalf, I recently commissioned IRTA's attorney, John Fitzgerald from Tabet, DiVito & Rothstein, the firm that successfully represented IRTA members during our 2015 lawsuit striking down a pension reduction law as unconstitutional, to write an Official Legal Opinion, on the Arizona actions and if those similar measures could come to fruition here. To read the full opinion, login into the member's area of the IRTA website at www.irtaonline.org. Click on LEGISLATIVE ISSUES. Then click, Infeasibility of the "Arizona Solution" Tabet DiVito & Rothstein LLC (12-21-18). Mr. Fitzgerald's opinion is great news for IRTA and for its members, especially as we all take time to enjoy the holiday season. Had this issue been of concern to you, please let this message bring you some peace and comfort. IRTA remains constantly vigilant to protect your promised benefits and we will not falter in that mission. Let me wish you and your family tidings of joy. One of the real delights every holiday season for me is the opportunity to say thank you and wish you the very best for the new year. Cordially yours, Jim Bachman Executive Director, IRTA Happy Holidays!
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