Illinois Retired Teachers Association

What is IRTA? The Illinois Retired Teachers Association (IRTA) is a grassroots, non–profit organization of retired teachers, principals, and superintendents working together to preserve the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and protect our health insurance benefits. IRTA is the only organization in the state dedicated solely to the preservation of your benefits.

What is the purpose of the Legislative Training Guide? The following legislative training guide developed by the Illinois Retired Teachers Association (IRTA), will help you become an effective advocate for issues pertaining to retirement benefits for retired educators in Illinois. Being an effective advocate means communicating clear, organized messages to legislators, candidates for political office, family, friends, members of the community and active teachers.

IRTA’s goal in establishing this guide is to provide a uniform and consistent approach to supporting issues that affect public education retirees. We become stronger as advocates by having a solid message that extends across the entire state.

At issue is your future, not only as a retired teacher but also as a vital contributor to the greater welfare of your community. As you reach into your legislative offices you will focus not only on your own welfare as an annuitant but also on the impact our members have in each and every one of Illinois’ 102 counties.

Your vitality in your community did not end when you left the classroom. Regardless of how you have chosen to spend your time since you retired from active teaching, you and your fellow retired teachers are still forces that drive your community’s social and economic engines.

We will not ask you to limit your enthusiasm for your community or your cause. However, we do ask that you focus on the message points that we have developed for all of our members. For our message to resonate it is important that all of us stay on message. As we communicate with our legislators and our neighbors, a unified, clear message is imperative.

Our primary focus is the defense of the two most basic components of our retirement packages: 1) our annuity, which is restricted by virtue of our exclusion from the Social Security System and, 2) the cost of our health care coverage, which directly impacts our basic ability to survive as retirees.

Toward that end, our underlying message will be simple, concise and direct:

1) A teacher’s pension is a result of a solemn promise between the employee (you) and the employer (constitutionally, the State of Illinois). At every juncture you, as the employee, held up your end of the bargain: you spent 30-plus years in the classroom, imparting priceless knowledge to young people in return for a middle class salary and the promise of financial security in your post-teaching years. You contributed 9.4 percent of your income to that retirement security and were not entitled to contribute to Social Security (which saved your employer a significant share of benefits payments on your behalf).

2) Any attempt to reduce your annuity benefit is a direct attack on the local economic base of every community in Illinois. After all, as the 68th largest pension system in the world, The Teachers Retirement System is a dominant piston in Illinois overall economic engine. You may have left the classroom and no longer receive a paycheck, but your role in the economic health and welfare of your community and your state never end. Section1: Meeting with Legislators

Why is it important for me to meet with my legislator? When it comes to the Illinois Teacher Retirement System (TRS), most decisions that impact your pension and health care benefits are made by the Illinois General Assembly. The Illinois Legislature consists of 118 members of the House of Representatives and 59 members of the Senate. (For the purpose of this guide, our primary focus will be on state elected officials, not nationally elected officials that serve in Congress in Washington, D.C.).

Members serving in the Illinois Legislature make significant decisions that impact TRS and your benefits. This includes but is not limited to: determining how much money the state will contribute to the Teacher Retirement System pension fund each year and determining how much money the state will contribute to the Teachers Retirement Insurance Plan (TRIP).

Because the Illinois Legislature makes decisions that impact your long-term financial security and health care, it is important that you meet with your elected officials to discuss your needs and wants.

How do I determine who my legislator is? You may contact the IRTA state office in Springfield and a member of our staff will be happy to assist you in determining who your legislators are. Contact us toll free at 800.728.4782. You may also visit our web site (www.irtaonline.org).

Other online resources for locating your legislators include the Illinois State Board of Elections website (http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/DistrictOfficialSearchByAddress.aspx). This feature informs you of who your Congressmen are, as well as your state leaders in the Illinois General Assembly. Performing a search for your elected officials will provide you with contact information for them at both the Illinois Capitol and at their district offices.

How do I set up a meeting with my legislator, and where should the meeting occur? One of the best ways to set up an appointment to meet with your legislator is to speak with a scheduler in the legislator’s office in his district. If you prefer to meet with your legislator in Springfield, you may call the Capitol phone number provided.

What is the goal of meeting with legislators? Meeting with legislators allows you to reinforce the message they are hearing from IRTA, but more importantly, it allows you to make a personal connection with legislators. A positive association with local constituents who are informed and who vote is the most important thing that can come out of your meeting. Personalizing the general issues forces legislators to step outside of general policy discussion to think about the impact to their neighbors and friends. For instance, you can tell them how a COLA allows you to continue to afford going to see your grandchildren, or how you are able to visit local businesses that they are aware of. The most effective message is one they can relate too, like pointing out if you taught at a school they attended, or if one of your friends taught there. For instance, one might say, "I know Mrs. Smith who taught at Illinois High School when you were there, and she needs her retiree health care to deal with her husband's illness." The more personal and positive you can make the experience, the more effective you will be. If you do not have access to his or her phone numbers, you may use a toll–free legislator hotline which connects you directly to the Illinois Capitol (888-412-6570). You must tell the operator what legislator you would like to speak to and they connect you to their office.

It is also important to meet with your legislators during the interim at their district offices. Maintaining contact with your legislators even when the Legislature is not in session lets them know we are serious about our issues.

Section 2: Advocacy Tips and Best Practices

What should I expect when meeting with my legislator? Meetings with legislators are often quick and efficient. It is important that you are prepared before attending a meeting. You should determine in advance what materials you plan to give to the legislator and what key points you want to focus on during your conversation.

It is possible that your legislator may be late to the meeting, especially during Legislative Session. For this reason, if you plan to visit several legislators in one day, it is important that you allot plenty of time between meetings (an hour or more).

The Illinois Capitol building is large and can be difficult to maneuver. Once again that is why IRTA recommends meeting with your legislator in their district office, if possible. Try to arrive a few minutes early to your appointment.

When greeting a legislator, it is important to be respectful and refer to that person as Senator Last Name or Representative Last Name, never by a first name. If a legislator is running very late or is unable to attend the scheduled meeting, please accept the opportunity to meet with a staff instead when it is offered.

What is the proper etiquette when meeting with my legislator? We have several tips for making sure your meeting goes smoothly and your concerns are heard. Please be aware that legislators and staff are often pressed for time and meet with many constituents during any given day. You want your message to be memorable for the right reasons, so remember the following:

BREVITY: In order to be effective, your presentations must be short. Whether your presentation is an informal conversation with an elected official in the hallway or a very structured presentation before a substantive committee, it should be emphatic and to the point. You should always introduce yourself and tell whom you represent (including the number of IRTA members in the elected official’s district if you have it), the extent of your interest and involvement with a particular issue, and why you believe there is a need for some specific legislation to address the problem.

ACCURACY: You should always provide accurate information. The credibility of your testimony depends on its accuracy. If you cannot supply documentation to support your claim, do not make the statement. Since most of the issues you will be supporting will require repeated interaction with elected officials or staff in their offices, it is best to start with a correct base of information. Never lie! If you do not know an answer to a question, respond with “I don’t know, but I will find that information for you” rather than guessing.

PREPARATION: Be prepared. Review any bills you plan to discuss along with the support materials you are bringing along so that you may speak knowledgably. Anticipate questions. Before you meet with any elected official or community leader, have your thoughts organized. Remember that the burden of proof is on you. In order for you to be effective, you must establish your position with clear and convincing evidence. IRTA Fact Pages (provided by IRTA) are excellent resources for you and your legislators.

COURTESY: Be polite, not demanding. Too often, advocates alienate entire legislative committees even though some of the elected officials may have been in agreement with the position originally. This change in attitude often occurs because the advocate was rude, hostile or combative.

PROTOCOL: You should address the elected official using a proper salutation (for example, Senator Harris or Representative Smith). Attire is business. Always carry your RTA business cards if you have them. A business card provides a quick and easy method for legislators and staffers to get in touch with you if questions arise after your appointment.

APPRECIATION: Thank the elected official. Too often, we ask elected officials to act in our interest but we fail to express our appreciation. When your elected official does something for you, respond accordingly with a note of gratitude, recapping what the elected official has agreed to do. When drafting your letter or email, keep in mind that your letter or parts of it may show up in the future campaign literature. Consider checking with your legislative chairman, lobbyist, state president or executive director before sending the letter.

REPORT BACK TO IRTA: Contact the IRTA state office to let us know how your meeting went. What questions did the legislator pose that we can help answer? What concerns do you have as a constituent that were raised during the meeting? Your feedback is vital to our staff and state legislative committee, and allows us to cultivate the relationship you have established with your elected official.

FOLLOW UP: Be sure to maintain contact with your elected official throughout legislative session and during the interim between sessions. If you are not able to schedule additional personal visits to the legislator’s office, use other methods of contact such as phone calls and emails. Take note of any questions or concerns your legislator mentioned during your meeting, and try to provide additional information based on those inquiries. IRTA staff is happy to assist you in answering any queries or sending additional information about IRTA issues.

How does all of this activity appear to elected officials? Lobbying is fair persuasion, responsible action, desired input and mutually useful. Elected officials expect to be contacted, and actually need to be contacted in order to do their job well. They may be helping you, but you are also helping them. In addition, because you are a volunteer, your opinion is more valued because you represent what you believe.

Your legislator is charged with representing all of the constituents in his or her district. Many times they have information that you do not have. Try to understand their problems, outlooks, and objections. Never threaten political consequences. Most controversial legislation is the result of compromise. There will be times when legislation does not go your way, so do not be too critical. Remember that you can simply not agree. Be wary of public criticisms of your legislator. Some legislators can be persuaded in the final vote to vote your way. It is much more effective to sit down in private to discuss the issue and a legislator’s vote.

IRTA does endorse candidates for office and does have a PAC (political action committee). As an organization, we strive to work with all elected officials for the best outcomes for all TRS annuitants. Using the aforementioned guidelines will help you become a better advocate. Section 3: IRTA Issues

For four years the General Assembly has wrestled with proposals to change public employee pensions in Illinois. The pensions of university employees, state workers, first responders (police and firefighters), teachers and legislators themselves (as well as judges) are all protected by a clause in the state constitution.

The language included in Article 13, Section 5 reads:

PENSION AND RETIREMENT RIGHTS Membership in any pension or retirement system of the State, any unit of local government or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, shall be an enforceable contractual relationship, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired.

Simply stated, absent a constitutional amendment or the rewriting of the Constitution itself, it is not legal for the General Assembly and the governor to enact legislation that reduces the value of a public employee’s pension. That section has been subject to legal interpretation and, in fact, there are those who believe the section should be tested in the courts to determine the extent of public employee pension protection.

It is the view of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association (as well as numerous other public employee unions and pension funds) that the language of Article 13, Section 5 is sacrosanct. It is our interpretation that teachers’ pensions are a contract that binds the pension administrator (the State of Illinois) and the employee exclusively and without exception.

But beyond legal interpretation, there is a simple and straightforward argument that supports public pensions and the retiree benefits they contain: promises made should be promises kept. A promise extends beyond the boundaries of legal interpretation.

As a teacher you promised:

To fulfill the terms of your contract by teaching young people the fundamentals (and beyond) that prepare them for adult life, give them the foundation to make a living and raise a family. In return, you were paid a salary according to wage scales that prevailed for the work you performed in your school district.

Moreover, you were required to contribute 9.4 percent of your earnings to the Teachers Retirement System to cover future annuitant and health insurance needs. To make an additional contribution to the Teachers Health Insurance Security Fund that finances the Teachers Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP) – your retiree health care plan.

In return the State of Illinois, as administrator of your pension fund, promised: To contribute the employer’s share of contributions to the Teachers Retirement System and the Teachers Health Security Fund. To guarantee your annuity and access to TRIP so that you can purchase a subsidized premium to care for your health needs in retirement.

Keep in mind that included in this employer-employee compact is your exemption from the federal Social Security System. Because you were not enrolled for Social Security retirement benefits, your employer was not required to contribute the employer’s share (6.75 percent) of your salary via way of the so-called payroll tax.

It’s a simple concept. You promised to do the work; your pension administrator (State of Illinois) promised you security in your retirement years.

Consider these statewide statistics:

The Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois annually distributes approximately $3.1 billion in pensions and benefits to men, women, and children in every corner of the state, creating a sustained economic stimulus that helps drive the economy in all 102 counties. Net, rather than gross, benefits are used in this analysis because the net benefits are what stimulate the state economy. The positive ripple effect of TRS benefits jumps by 44 percent to more than $4.4 billion in total economic activity throughout Illinois – new full-time jobs, salaries earned, and new goods and services produced across the state.

A recent study conducted by TRS using benefit statistics from April 2012 found that: • 80,835 TRS benefit recipients – 80 percent of the System’s total benefit recipients – live in Illinois. • The $3.1 billion in pensions and benefits paid to Illinois residents is 83 percent of the total pensions and benefits distributed by TRS annually. The statewide economic impact of TRS pensions and benefits can be measured in real terms: Total Output - $4.432 billion This is the overall measure of economic activity in Illinois stemming from TRS pensions and benefits. It includes all TRS payments, salaries earned in those jobs, and increases in the state’s Gross Domestic Product. The $4.432 billion total is higher than the value of Illinois exports to China in 2011 which totaled $3.890 billion. Jobs Created – 32,042 This is the total number of full-time jobs created due to the effect of $3.1 billion in pensions and benefits pumped into the Illinois economy. The 32,042 jobs created is about the same as the number of Illinois special education and kindergarten teachers combined in 2011. Earnings Created - $1.220 billion This is the total salaries earned by persons employed in Illinois jobs that are fueled by TRS pension and benefit payments. Illinois GDP Value - $2.544 billion This is the amount added to the Illinois Gross Domestic Product – the total value of goods and services produced within Illinois – due to TRS pension and benefit payments.

Section 5: What’s Next? You should not wait to share what you have learned with your fellow IRTA members. Begin building a localized grassroots movement focused on your area legislators.

1. Stay well informed Votervoice is an online advocacy tool the IRTA uses to keep members up-to-date and provides the member the ability to email their legislator in a moment's notice. Please encourage your local members to sign up for this wonderful feature (www.irtaonline.org). Be sure to read The ACTION you receive each quarter and keep it as a reference.

2. Put someone in charge Develop a member network. As alerts are sent, especially during session, have a plan ready to activate your local members into action. All local members should be participants in your plan. Legislators note the number of contacts that are made on a particular issue by their constituents. The person organizing this should be your local unit legislative chairman.

3. Set up an appointment It is important to first try and meet with your legislator in his or her district office. It is best to take no more than three to four members to your appointment. Your time will be limited, so get to the point. Discuss your concerns with accurate facts. It might help to have a written document outlining your points to leave with the legislator. Be sure to thank the legislator and let them know that you will be contacting them again during the session. Let IRTA know that you have had a meeting so that a follow up can be made during session or sooner. Having a bill number is important during the legislative session.

4. Get personally acquainted Make sure that your members get to know their Senator, Representative and their staff as well as candidates running for office. Take a sincere interest in your legislators by attending their events. They need to know that of your community involvement and want your issues addressed. Discuss IRTA priorities and be prepared to answer questions. If you do not know the answer, tell the legislator that you will find out and get back to them.

5. Send letters and emails When writing a letter, please reference only one bill. Be sure to place the bill number at the top of your letter. Present your issue logically and use facts Use background material provided by IRTA. The importance of contacting a legislator on time cannot be overemphasized. The most eloquent letter does no good if it arrives after a vote. Using email is a great way to send your message quickly.

6. Vote! IRTA does endorse candidates for political office, we do encourage our members always to exercise their right to vote. Opportunities to vote include primary elections and general elections. As an organization, our political power lies in the strength of our members. Use your voice to vote for the candidates you believe are representing your interests. Do not assume that your neighbors, colleagues or fellow IRTA members are voting. Your vote counts!

7. Understand your influence The strength of our organization lies in your decision to be involved. IRTA becomes stronger by encouraging other TRS annuitants to get involved. The more we are seen and heard, the stronger we become. Joining a local unit or encouraging other TRS retirees to join local units and the state IRTA is a great way to grow our influence.