Pension funding continues to make headlines in Illinois. According to the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, Illinois’ pensions are funded at 46%. It’s an issue the general assembly continues to address.
In 2019 Governor pritzker proposed and the legislature overwhelmingly approved a plan to consolidate hundreds of suburban and downstate fire and police pension plans into two new plans - one for firefighters and one for police officers.
In a two part report WSIU talks with Bill Atwood,executive director of the Illinois Firefighters’ Pension Investment Fund. He recently released a study showing fund made gains in funding of the firefighter pension plans.
In part one, Atwood explains the background of firefighter and police pensions, the changes implemented by the 2019 law, and how the funds were successful in saving costs and increasing returns.
In part two, Atwood explains what led to the program’s success and what legislators can possibly learn.
To read the case study, follow this link: https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/ps_wp/10/
