CTPF E-News November 2012    

May 31, 2014         

Stay Connected this summer...

Take advantage of CTPF's social media presence to stay informed and
up-to-date on important fund information.

Click here to go directly to CTPF's online registration page where you can register for e-mail updates.

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CTPF MAY E-NEWS: 
Quick Look 
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Click on the links for more information. 

News Briefs

CTPF Receives $62.1 million in State Appropriations, Jay C. Rehak named Interim Executive Director, Rehak featured on Chicago Newsroom, Webinar now available online, and the 2014 Pension Payment Schedule.

 
Summer is the perfect time to learn more about CTPF and to meet with your local legislators. Find a list of Webinars and training to help you get started. 

Time's running out for June retirees... 

 

2014 Board of Trustees Election

Friday, November 7, 2014, active teachers will elect two representatives to the CTPF Board of Trustees. Nomination packets are now available. 

  

 
    CTPF Calendar April 2012
A recap of important events from now through the end of the year.
NEWSBRIEFS News BriefsCTPF Receives State Appropriations...
money
The Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund will receive approximately $62.1 million in funding from the Illinois Legislature for fiscal year 2015 (July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015). The State appropriated $11.9 million for CTPF in fiscal year 2014. 

 

House Bill 3793 included $50 million (a historically budgeted amount which has not been appropriated since 2011). House Bill 6096 authorized the statutorily required $12.1 million payment based on payroll. Both bills passed through the legislature and now await the Governor's signature.

 
Illinois lawmakers wrapped up their legislative session on Saturday, May 31, without passing legislation to "reform" CTPF or reduce the employer's required payment ($612 million is due by June 30). Pension reform will remain at the top of legislator's agenda this fall, and we encourage our members to visit and meet with legislators in their home offices this summer. Click here for information on summer training programs and information to help educate legislators.
 
CTPF will issue an e-lert with a complete legislative update early next week. 
 
Jay C. Rehak Named Interim Executive Director null

The Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund Board of Trustees voted on Thursday, May 15, 2014, to authorize President Jay C. Rehak to take a leave of absence from his teaching position to provide leadership at CTPF until June 30, 2014, when Executive Director Kevin B. Huber is expected to return from a medical leave. Rehak will serve as Interim Executive Director.

  

"The Fund has an excellent staff in place and I look forward to joining them during this critical period," said Rehak. "I plan to serve as a resource during this time to ensure that we continue our mission of serving our 63,000 members who depend on CTPF for retirement security."

  

Elected to the CTPF Board of trustees in 2009 and re-elected in 2012, Rehak has served as Board President since 2011, and is also member of the Trustee Leadership Forum for Retirement Security (an Initiative for Responsible Investment at Harvard University). Since joining the board, Rehak has served on several CTPF committees including the Investments, Finance and audit, the Pension Law and Rules, and chaired the Communications Committee.

  

Jay C. Rehak Featured on Chicago Newsroom

 

CTPF's Board of Trustees President and Interim Executive Director Jay C. Rehak joined Ken Davis of Chicago Newsroom (CAN TV), George Schmidt, Substance News, and Dan Fabrizio, Chicago Firefighters' Pension Fund, May 22 where they discussed the history of Chicago's municipal employee pensions and the long-standing failure of government officials to adequately fund the system.


May 13 WEBINAR now online:
Introduction to Pension Fund Governance 

Do you know the Fundamentals about your pension fund? What role the Board of Trustees have in governing CTPF? Why CTPF elections are important? How decisions made in the State of Illinois legislature can impact your pension? View our recorded webinar to learn more about one of your most important assets - your retirement pension.

Click here to view the webinar. 

  

  

2014 Pension Payment Schedule

Click here for a schedule of pension payments through December.  

  

 a

   Fund Ambassador
 
Summer Ambassador Training Opportunities
Summer is the perfect time to visit with your local legislators. CTPF has several opportunities available for you to learn more about your fund and your pension. 
 

WEBINAR: June 11, 4:30 p.m.

2014 End of Fiscal Year Review

Join CTPF Board of Trustees President and Interim Executive Director Jay C. Rehak and CTPF Lobbyist Steve Zahn for a summary of the fund at the end of our fiscal year, and a review of activities in the Illinois legislature.

 

Ambassador Training Sessions
CTPF will offer two hands-on Ambassador training sessions this summer:
  • 1:00 p.m., Thursday, June 26 
  • 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 17 

Click here to register for a training session. 

 

The sessions will be held in the CTPF office at 203 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60601. Information about parking and transit will be sent with your registration confirmation. 
What to do now....
Ready to make an impact? Many members have asked what they can do right now to help preserve their benefits and advocate for CTPF pensions. You can visit, call, fax, or e-mail local elected officials to share your opinions about pensions. Here are some ideas:
 
1. Join the Pension Fund Ambassador Program Ambassador_PIN
Ambassadors reach out to elected officials to share their stories and help legislators understand that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past.

 

2. "Like US" on Facebook
Like us on Facebook
Legislation or events that may impact your pension can happen quickly. Oftentimes the first place we post information is on Facebook. Make sure you "like" us on Facebook to stay informed and up-to-date.
  

Our publication, Mistakes of the Past, gives a history of funding for CTPF and illustrates the damage that pension "holidays" have caused. Share this with a legislator.    

Do you know who represents your interests in Springfield? If the answer to that question is "no" you can logon to our Legislative Action Center.  The Legislative Action Center is a one-stop shop where you can find information about your elected representatives, track legislation, and e-mail legislators. 

 

 

Your Pension Matters: Tell Your Legislators

CTPF's education and advocacy webpage  at www.ctpf.org has other tips and documents that you can bring to a meeting, including our Economic Impact Statement and individual information sheets for each Illinois legislator. Share information and make an impact. 



election
Teacher Trustee Election 
Friday, November 7, 2014

2014 Teacher Trustee Election

Friday, November 7, 2014, CTPF will hold an election for two Teacher Trustees to serve from November 2014-2017.

 

Candidate Eligibility

A candidate for Teacher Trustee must be a current contributor employed in the CPS system for a minimum of 10 years, and hold an Illinois State Teaching Certificate.

 

Nomination Packets

Nomination packets will be available on May 1, 2014. Members interested in running for office should contact the CTPF Election Team at 312.604.1400 ext. 132 or 169 to request a packet. Candidate eligibility will be verified before the packet can be issued. Completed nomination packets must be returned by 5:00 p.m., October 1, 2014.

 

Voting Options

The Teacher Trustee Election will be conducted in schools and at other designated polling places on Friday, November 7, 2014. Schools will have the option of voting online or with traditional paper ballots. Pension representatives will poll their staff and register their school's voting preference by September 19, 2014.

  

Additional Information

Election questions may be directed to the CTPF Election Team at 312.604.1400 ext. 132 or 169.   

making the leap into retirementretirement
 Still considering a June retirement?
Time is running out, but here are  steps you can take right now:
  1. Schedule an appointment with a Pension Resource Specialist. Specialists can walk you through the retirement process and answer questions about your retirement situation. Call 312.641.4464 to schedule an appointment. 
  2. Visit the retirement readiness website at members.ctpf.org. This site features tools to help you prepare for retirement, including a downloadable retirement application and helpful checklists.
  3. Organize your required documentation and request any missing vital records. The application, available here, includes a list of required documentation.
  4. Register your personal e-mail with CTPF. Your CPS e-mail address will terminate when you retire, so it's important to share your personal e-mail to stay in touch. Click here to register. 
 
Planning to Visit? Plan ahead... 
MAP
If you are planning a visit to CTPF, it's always a good idea to schedule an appointment. Scheduled appointments with Pension Resource Specialists are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., but wait times will vary and may be lengthy during busy periods, especially at the end of the school year. Walk-in visitors cannot be accommodated after 3:00 p.m. If you arrive after 3:00 you will be asked to schedule a future appointment. Call 312.641.4464 to schedule an appointment.

 
CTPF is located at  203 North LaSalle Street, suite 2600, Chicago, Illinois 60601-1231

Parking and Transit Information  
The 203 North LaSalle building has a self-park garage. Garage entries are located on Lake Street between LaSalle Street and Clark Street and on Clark Street between Wacker Drive and Lake Street (look for self-park signs at entrances). Reduced parking vouchers, available from the CTPF office, can be bought for $18, (check only, no cash).

 

The 203 North LaSalle building has direct access to the CTA. The CTA's blue, green, brown, pink, purple, and orange lines all stop at Clark and Lake. Follow the signs to the 203 North LaSalle building when you exit the train.

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Calendar 2012    

CALENDAR 

CALENDAR

Trustee meetings, held in the CTPF office, are open to the public.
Please confirm meeting times/dates at www.ctpf.org.

 

June

19

9:30 a.m., CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting 

 

26
1:00 p.m., Ambassador Training, CTPF office

July
4
Independence Day observed, office closed

15
9:30 a.m., Investment Committee meeting, CTPF office

17
1:00 p.m., Ambassador Training, CTPF office

24
9:30 a.m., CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting 

August
21
9:30 a.m., CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting 

September
1
Labor Day, office closed

18
9:30 a.m., CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting 

October
1
5:00 p.m., Trustee Election nomination petitions due to CTPF

13
Columbus Day, office closed

23
9:30 a.m., CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting 

November
7
Teacher Trustee Election in schools. 

11
Veterans Day, office closed

20
9:30 a.m., CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting 

27-28 Thanksgiving holiday, office closed

 

December

25 Christmas holiday, office closed 

 

 

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
Mary Sharon Reilly, financial secretary
Raymond Wohl, recording secretary
Carlos M. Azcoitia
Jeffery Blackwell
Robert F. Bures
Bernie Eshoo
Tina Padilla
Walter E. Pilditch  
Jerry Travlos
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.