NEWS FROM O’FALLON CITY HALL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mayor Gary L. Graham Testifies Before House Personnel
and Pensions Committee in Springfield
O’Fallon, Illinois – March 7, 2008 – Mayor Gary L. Graham, along with thirty municipal officials including fifteen Illinois mayors, went to Springfield on March 6 to support public safety pension reform legislation.
These mayors and other municipal officials from across the state share a growing concern about the impact that rapidly accumulating pension debt within suburban and downstate public safety pensions is having on municipal government,” Larry Frang, Executive Director of the Illinois Municipal League said.
These municipal officials were in Springfield to testify before the House Personnel and Pensions Committee on House Bill 4905 which contains eight reform provisions applicable to the pension funds for suburban and downstate police and firefighters. HB 4905 is sponsored by Rep. Mark H. Beaubien, Jr. (R-52, Barrington Hills), Elga L. Jefferies (D-26, Chicago) and Robert A. Biggins (R-41, Elmhurst).
Mayor Graham discussed this issue of grave concern to the City of O’Fallon with the members of the House Personnel and Pensions Committee.
The Illinois Municipal League published a first-of-its-kind pension study in February 2007 that examined the fiscal condition of those systems. The study found an alarming growth in debt among municipal police and firefighter pension funds. This growing debt could threaten the availability of the necessary funds to cover the retirement promises made under Illinois statute to firefighters and police officers.
“The growing debt within the municipal police and fire pension funds is a shared problem among Illinois municipalities,” said Gary Graham, First vice President of the Municipal League and Mayor of O’Fallon. “We are now presented with an opportunity to show some leadership and support proactive solutions to begin addressing this significant problem.”
Mayors participating in the pension hearing included:
Fred Brereton, Belvidere
Brad Cole, Carbondale
Gary Graham, O’Fallon
Sue Grygiel, Braidwood
Richard Hyde, Waukegan
Frank Mathon, Taylorville
Bill McLeod, Hoffman Estates
Brian Sager, Woodstock
Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake
Gnen Siegel, Chicago Ridge
David Tebben, Pekin
George Van Dusen, Skokie
Don Welvaert, Moline
Mick Wisslead, Macomb
Ed Wollet, Clinton
The Illinois Municipal League is a statewide association representing 1131 Illinois cities and villages. The League serves as the voice for Illinois municipalities in matters of common interest and on issues before the Illinois General Assembly, Congress and state and federal regulatory agencies.
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Additional Information Contact:
Pamala L. Funk
Asst. City Administrator
624-4500, Ext. 9-1112
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