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Take advantage of CTPF's social media presence to stay informed and up-to-date on important fund information.
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CTPF online
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CTPF Offers Special Seminar for Members
facing school closings or layoffs
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August 12, 2013
Thompson Center Auditorium
100 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601
Lower Level
9:30 -11:30 or
1:30- 3:30
(Attend one)
Reservations recommended. Call 312.641.4464
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Who Should Attend
Members who face a school closing or are unsure of their employment status due to layoffs should plan to attend one of the two information sessions.
Seminar Topics
- Pension eligibility rules for those teachers who are at or close to retirement age.
- Review of options for teachers who are not yet eligible for retirement.
Other Information
Members who require additional information will have the opportunity to schedule future appointments with Member Services staff members.
CPDUs offered
Eligible teachers will be offered at least one Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDU) credit for attending the informational seminar.
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Bernie Eshoo Appointed to CTPF Board of Trustees
The Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund Board of Trustees appointed Bernie Eshoo to serve as Teacher Trustee during their July 25, 2013, meeting. Trustee Eshoo will serve the board until November 2013, completing the unexpired term of Trustee Jeanne Marie Freed who retired from service in June. Trustee Freed has served the board as a teacher trustee since November 2010.
Trustee Eshoo has been a teacher/librarian with the Chicago Public Schools for nearly 30 years and currently works at Steinmetz College Prep where she is the International Baccalaureate student volunteer coordinator, serves as the school's Service Learning Coach, chairs the Professional Problems Committee, and serves on the School Leadership team.
"We want to thank Ms. Freed for her years of service and wish her a wonderful retirement. Trustee Freed has been a wonderful asset to our board and we will all miss her. Trustee Eshoo brings a wealth of leadership experience to our board and we all look forward to working with her in the months ahead," said Kevin B. Huber, executive director.
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2013 Board of Trustees Elections
November 8, 2013, CTPF will hold elections for:
 Two Teacher Trustees to serve from November 2013-2016
One Administrator Trustee to serve from November 2013-2016
Three Pensioner Trustees to serve from November 2013-2015
Voting Options
Pensioner and Administrator Trustee elections will be held by mail with votes tabulated on November 8.
Teacher Trustee elections will be held in schools and at other designated polling places on November 8, 2013. Last fall CTPF successfully piloted an online voting program for Teacher Trustees, and the program will be expanded this year. Schools which voted online last year will do so again this year along with all charter schools. All other schools will be offered the option of voting online or with a traditional paper ballots. More information about voting options will be distributed in August.
Nomination Packets
Members interested in running for office should contact the CTPF Election Team at 312.604.1400 ext. 132 or 169 to request a nomination packet. Candidate eligibility will be verified before the packet can be issued. Completed nomination packets must be returned by 5:00 p.m.,
Tuesday, October 1, 2013.
Additional Information
Election questions may be directed to the CTPF Election Team at 312.604.1400 ext. 132 or 169.
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CPS Unfairly Blames Pensions for Layoffs
CTPF sent out the following press release in response to misleading claims by the Chicago Public Schools, blaming pension costs for teacher layoffs. The initial press release has generated additional media inquiries, and CTPF continues to share information to help educate the public and legislators about the role that underfunding has played in our current financial situation.
July 19, 2013: The Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund (CTPF) described as "misleading" claims by Chicago Public Schools (CPS) that the increasing pension obligations will cause the layoff of more than 2,000 workers. CTPF countered that CPS understood the increase would occur in 2010 when it struck a deal with the Illinois Legislature to provide three years of pension underfunding from 2011-2013.
Founded in 1895, the CTPF was adequately funded by the Chicago taxpayer for more than 100 years. In 1995, the City of Chicago, struggling with financial problems, sought and received General Assembly approval to divert property tax levies that were earmarked for teacher pensions.
From 1996 to 2005, Chicago collected $2 billion in tax revenues intended for teacher pensions, but spent the money elsewhere. In 2010, the General Assembly granted CPS' request to postpone another $1.2 billion in payments as "pension relief." CPS currently owes about $600 million annually to CTPF due to the many years of underfunding, but last year paid only $200 million.
"When the employer doesn't make any contribution for 10 years (1996-2005), then pays only a portion of its contributions for three years (2011-2013), those debts pile up," said Kevin Huber, executive director of CTPF. "Continuing to underfund the pension - as CPS proposed to the General Assembly on May 31 - will only exacerbate the problem.
"Next year, Chicago Public Schools must begin paying what it owes CTPF after many years of neglect. Our executives, actuaries and board have been working tirelessly to provide factual, unbiased information so that the employer, employees, retirees and state of Illinois can work toward a reasonable solution to this difficult situation - but to announce a massive layoff today and blame it on the pension obligation is misleading. This is a problem that started almost 20 years ago.
"In a difficult environment, we will continue to prudently manage the retirement assets of more than 60,000 active and retired teachers - each of whom contributed, or is contributing, faithfully to the plan each and every month. We hope CPS will meet its obligations."
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 The 98th General Assembly adjourned on May 31, 2013, without taking action on pension "reform." Following the end of the regular session, Governor Quinn called a special session of the Illinois General Assembly on June 19 to deal with State of Illinois pension fund issues. The special session ended with the formation of a conference committee. The 10-member committee was charged with developing a comprehensive pension reform bill for the State of Illinois pension funds. (CTPF is not a State of Illinois fund). Members of the conference met in June and July, and a Special Session of the Illinois legislature was held on July 8. The committee members did not offer any legislation by the Governor's July 9 deadline. State Pension Funds While the conference committee has been convened specifically to deal with State of Illinois pension funds, CTPF is carefully monitoring events in Springfield. Any agreement reached could be used as a model for our fund and other non-state pension funds. CTPF will update members as issues or legislation develops. CTPF's Role The Illinois legislature determines the laws and rules that govern our fund and other public pension systems. The CTPF Board of Trustees administers the law and protects the Fund's finances to ensure retirement security for all members.
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Pension Checks Changing in October
Members who receive pension checks will see a different format beginning with the October check. Traditional outer envelopes will be eliminated and the checks will come in a pressure-sealed format with tear-off perforations.
Pressure seal forms save time and money, enhance security, and reduce paper usage. If you have any questions or concerns about this change, please contact CTPF at 312.641.4464.
Direct Deposit
The best way to ensure timely and secure receipt of your pension funds is to utilize direct deposit. More than 90% of CTPF members take advantage of direct deposit. You can request a direct deposit by filling out this form and returning it to CTPF.
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Summer Assignment: Visit your Illinois Legislators
A lack of State and Employer funding has drained resources from our fund. CTPF members must speak up and reach out to help Illinois legislators understand that full funding for CTPF pensions is vital, not optional.
Summer Advocacy Efforts
Legislators have returned to their districts and most hold office hours. CTPF encourages all members to get to know their elected representatives and to personally share CTPF information and priorities.
Prepare for your personal visit
To make the most out of your meeting, consider these tips.....
 1. Educate yourself first
Before you meet with an elected official, make sure you educate yourself on CTPF priorities. Visit the CTPF member education and advocacy webpage at www.ctpf.org for background information about CTPF and important information about legislative priorities. Resources for member education include:
2. Schedule an appointment with the right person
3. Be prepared
Make sure you're on time and have an outline of what you would like to share.
Be respectful of his or her time and perspective. This is a chance to make your point and to share information; the experience should be cordial, not confrontational.
When the meeting ends, thank the member for his or her time and make sure you leave behind your CTPF flyer with your contact information.
CTPF Pension Fund Ambassador Program 
We've developed the CTPF Pension Fund Ambassador program to encourage our members to educate lawmakers and decision makers about the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund, its legislative priorities, and our members. We want legislators to understand the people behind the pensions, and to hear the facts about the fund straight from our members.
Join today
Click here and register at our new Legislative Action Center
You'll automatically be enrolled in our CTPF Pension Fund Ambassador Program.
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Save the Date... Pension Rep. Seminar
CTPF will hold a Pension Representative seminar on Saturday, September 7, for all CTPF Pension Representatives. CTPF will send additional information in August, so watch your mail at the beginning of the academic year for an invitation.
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CALENDAR
Trustee meetings, held in the CTPF office, are open to the public.
Please confirm meeting times/dates at www.ctpf.org.
August
15 9:30 a.m., trustee meeting September
2 Labor Day, office closed 7 Pension Representative Seminar (rescheduled) at University Center 19 9:30 a.m., trustee meeting October
1 5:00 p.m., election nomination petitions due to CTPF 14 Columbus Day, office closed 24 9:30 a.m., trustee meeting (NOTE DATE CHANGE) November
8 2013 Principal/Administrator and Retiree Trustee elections conducted by mail ballot Teacher Trustee Election conducted in schools and at other designated polling places 11 Veterans Day, office closed 21 9:30 a.m., trustee meeting 28-29 Thanksgiving holiday, office closed
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CTPF MISSION STATEMENT
To provide, protect, and enhance the present and future economic well being of members, pensioners and beneficiaries through efficient and effective management of benefit programs, investment practices and customer service, and to commit to earning and keeping the respect and trust of the participants through quality service and by protecting retirement benefits, in compliance with applicable laws and standards.
CTPF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Jay C. Rehak, president Lois W. Ashford, vice president Tina Padilla, financial secretaryRaymond Wohl, recording secretaryCarlos M. Azcoitia Jeffery Blackwell Bernie Eshoo Walter E. Pilditch Mary Sharon Reilly Jerry Travlos James F. Ward Andrea L. Zopp Kevin B. Huber, executive director
Office/Mailing Information
Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund
203 North LaSalle Street, suite 2600
Chicago, Illinois 60601-1231
312.641.4464 p.
312.641.7185 f.
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