Northbrook’s Massive Government Employee Pensions

By on October 29, 2020   /   Latest  
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Northbrook, IL – Government teacher salaries and pensions are too rich for even the wealthiest taxpayers, according to Illinois’ most tenured tax fighter, and president and founder of Taxpayers United of America (TUA), Jim Tobin.

“Glenbrook HSD 225 is a prime example of bloated government teacher pensions. All of the top 200 pensions for this district are more than $115,000 a year while the average per capita income in Northbrook is only $67,306. On average, teachers are employed only about 27 years before they are eligible to retire and collect full pensions. And it’s not like they have to work into their golden years to qualify. The average age of an Illinois teacher at retirement is only 57!”

“The TRS is only about 50% funded, and this is what the proposed Pritzker income-theft amendment is all about. Today’s tax revenue, as massive as it is, is paying for the education of yesterday’s students in the form of pensions. In his infinite wisdom, Gov. Jay Robert ‘J. B.’ Pritzker has placed a constitutional amendment to restructure Illinois’ flat rate income tax to a graduated income tax. This graduated tax will decimate the middle-class and will eliminate the income-tax protection of retirement pay in the current constitution.”

“Between the mass exodus of Illinois residents to more tax friendly states and the huge loss of jobs and income from the Pritzker’s unconstitutional lockdown that’s just been reinstated, Illinois’ middle-class will virtually disappear.”

“Here a just a few of the bloated government teacher pensions in Glenbrook HSD 225:

Jean B. McGrew retired from HSD 225. Her current annual pension is $259,090. With the 3% compounded COLA, she will receive about $4,088,668 over a normal lifetime. Her personal investment in that stunning payout is only about 5%.

Michael D. Riggle, who administered over the school’s largest scandal regarding hazing, has a current annual pension of $195,113. He will collect about $6,479,384 in estimated lifetime pension payments.

Click here to view top Glenbrook (Northfield TWP) HSD 225  

                                                    

“Illinois government employees are only employed for about 20.1 years on average in order to collect these unrealistic pensions. And for every dollar they deposit in their own pension fund, taxpayers are forced to fork over $4.74. Add to that a 3% COLA, compounded for all but IMRF, and it doesn’t take a genius to understand why Illinois’ government pensions are insolvent.”

“Rather than put an income theft amendment on the ballot, Pritzker should have pushed for a pension reform amendment because these outrageous pensions are protected by the state constitution. Enough is enough,” said Tobin.

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Roselle’s Pension Scam

By on October 23, 2020   /   IL, Latest  

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Roselle- “It’s unconscionable that taxpayers are footing the bill for excessively generous salaries and pensions and finding those they hire put their children in the hands of unscrupulous administrators and predatory teachers and coaches,” stated Matthew Schultz, executive director of Taxpayers United of American (TUA).

“Taxpayers tragically trust the tax-raisers when they are told that paying more for salaries and benefits will result in higher quality ‘educators’ and administrators and better outcomes for their students. They certainly don’t expect so much scandal for their money.”

LPHS Coach Jared Wissmiller was convicted for his sexual relationship with a 15 year old student. Years later, LPHS volunteer coach Frank Battaglia was found to be a convicted sexual offender. Battaglia’s background was covered up by principal Dominic Manola, athletic director Pete Schauer and coach Chris Roll. This all came to light during an investigation into athletic recruiting violations.

“Manola, who was earning $122,004 plus $20,385 in benefits; Schauer, who was earning $152,149, and Roll who was earning $125,610 all returned to work after a brief suspension. These rich salaries translate to excessively rich pensions,” added Schultz.

“The Teachers Retirement System (TRS) is only about 50% funded. Guess who is on the hook for the other 50%? Taxpayers can’t afford to overpay teachers in employment and then another 30 years in pensions. But apparently Gov. J. B. Pritzker didn’t get that memo. He is working very hard, even putting in his own money, to get a graduated income-tax amendment passed.”

“Pritzker’s graduated income-tax will decimate middle-class Illinoisans. It’s never a good idea to raise taxes, but in the midst of the Covid-19 economic downturn it’s just plain crazy.”
“Here is a closer look at what Pritzker’s income-tax increase is really about: Government Pensions. Regardless of how they perform in their government jobs that come with nearly iron-clad job security, as you can see from the LPHS examples, these government teachers can retire early and collect obscene amounts of money from taxpayers.”

“David W. Smith retired from Lake Park CHSD 108 at only 58 years old. His current annual pension is $192,367. With his 3% compounded cost of living adjustment (COLA) he will collect about $4,446,485 over a normal lifetime.”

“Edward J. Wardzala was only 55 when he retired from Lake Park CHSD 108. With 30 years of compounded COLAs, Wardzala will collect at least $5,928,305 in taxpayer funded pension payments. His current annual pension is a very generous $179,996!     Click Here to view top Roselle government teacher pensions.

“It’s bad enough that government teachers are overpaid, regardless of performance, while they are teaching. It is tragic that we continue to pay them excessively throughout their retirement,” concluded Schultz. 

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Lake County Government Schools: Mismanagement Woes

By on October 19, 2020   /   Latest, Referenda  

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Lincolnshire, IL – Adlai Stevenson HSD 125 is plagued not only with outrageous pension burdens, but also with gross mismanagement and corruption, according to Jim Tobin, economist and president of Taxpayers United of America (TUA).

“Stevenson High School, like other Lake County government institutions, gouges taxpayers for outrageous salaries and pensions while completely mismanaging the government employees and students in their charge.”

“Stevenson High School student dean, Paul Weil resigned amid his alleged inappropriate texting with students. A second dean, Nicolas Valenziano had to resign after a video of his racist attack on a student was reported.”

“Students were caught in a pervasive, organized, cheating effort. But that didn’t compare to the wholly inappropriate sexting scandal. Perhaps worst of all, wealthy parents actually gave up custody of their junior or senior students in order to divert student aid from truly deserving students.”

“These government schoolteachers and administrators are rewarded for their inept governance with lavish, outrageous pensions. The Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) is one of the most bloated pension systems in the state. No matter how poorly these bureaucrats perform, taxpayers are on the hook to pay them until their death.”

On average, Illinois government teachers are only employed about 27 years before they are eligible to retire and collect full pensions. The average age of an Illinois teacher at retirement is only 59.

“The TRS is only about 50% funded, and this is what the proposed Pritzker income-theft amendment is all about. Pritzker has placed an amendment on the November 3 ballot to change the state flat-rate income tax to a graduated income tax. If passed, this graduated tax will decimate the state’s middle-class.”

“Between the mass exodus of Illinois residents and businesses to more tax-friendly states and the huge loss of jobs and income from Pritzker’s lockdown, Illinois’ middle-class will virtually disappear. Lake County has lost more than 7,600 residents.”

Here are just a couple of the bloated government pensions at Stevenson High School:

James S. Hintz, Stevenson HSD 125 retiree, has a current annual pension of $306,373. He will collect a stunning $9,271,559 in estimated lifetime pension payments.

Timothy D. Kanold retired from Stevenson HSD 125 and currently collects $274,681 a year from TRS. His estimated lifetime payout is $8,371,466. He had to invest only $278,892 of his own money for that payout.

Click Here to view all top Stevenson HSD 125 pensions.

“Illinois government employees are employed for only 20.1 years on average in order to collect these lavish, gold-plated pensions. And for every dollar they deposit in their own pension fund, taxpayers are forced to fork over $4.74. Add to that a 3% COLA, compounded for all but IMRF, and it doesn’t take a genius to understand why Illinois’ government pensions are insolvent.”

“Rather than put an income theft amendment on the ballot, Pritzker should have pushed for a pension reform amendment,” said Tobin.

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