Learn About Constitutional Amendment That Could Strip Away Pension Protection

APAC AND UIC UNITED, the UIC chapter of SUAA, invites you to a SURS/Pension town hall event, “Understanding the Constitutional Amendment on the November 6^th Ballot,” Monday, Oct. 22, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the College of Medicine West Tower Auditorium, 2^nd Floor, Room 221, 1853 W. Polk St.

IF PASSED, Constitutional Amendment #49 would require three-fifths votes in the House and Senate to enhance retirement benefits for public employees—but only a simple majority to reduce benefits. Coming in at over 700 words, the amendment is longer than the entire first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution (the Bill of Rights). Please join our presenters, who will help you untangle the complicated language and share their perspectives on the potential implications if passed. You will have an opportunity to submit questions during your registration, which will be addressed at the close of the presentation.

PRESENTERS ARE John Kindt, Professor Emeritus of Business and Legal Policy, UIUC, and Dick Lockhart, Lobbyist for the State University Annuitants Association (SUAA).

ACCORDING TO Kindt, “The Constitutional Amendment question on the November ballot, if passed, would probably eliminate the current Illinois Constitutional clause protecting benefits from being diminished or impaired.”

LOCKHART ADDED, “Constitutional Amendment #49 creates very special problems for State Universities, and for those who are committed to their improvement. As we know, a Constitutional Amendment would last beyond our lifetime.”

REGISTRATION IS required. You can register at:

https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/6974620.