Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans

Statement from the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans on the Failure of SB1937 to Pass During Spring Session

The Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans is disappointed that SB1937, legislation supported by the We Are One Coalition to address inequities in the Tier 2 pension system, did not pass before the conclusion of the Illinois General Assembly's spring session.

For too long, Tier 2 public employees have been asked to do the same work as their Tier 1 colleagues while being promised a retirement that provides fewer benefits and less security.

SB1937 would have taken important steps toward correcting these inequities by improving the final average salary calculation, strengthening cost-of-living adjustments, lowering retirement ages, and addressing the federal "safe harbor" issue.

While concerns about the state's fiscal outlook and uncertainty stemming from federal funding cuts created challenges for advancing pension legislation this year, the need to fix Tier 2 has not gone away. In fact, delaying action will only increase the cost and complexity of solving the problem in the future.

"Today's retirees understand better than anyone the importance of a secure retirement," said Krystle Able, Executive Director of the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans. "Many spent decades working, contributing to our pensions, and building the retirement security we earned. We are fighting for Tier 2 workers because we believe the next generation deserves the same dignity and stability in retirement that current retirees rely on today. This isn't just about public employees, it's about protecting the promise that hard work should lead to a secure retirement."

The Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans remains committed to working alongside the We Are One Coalition, legislators, and the Governor's office to achieve meaningful Tier 2 pension reform.

Retirees across Illinois know that strong retirement systems benefit workers, families, and communities, and they will continue advocating until this issue is resolved.

The fight to fix Tier 2 is not over. We will continue organizing, educating, and advocating until Illinois fulfills its obligation to provide a fair and adequate retirement for all public employees.

Retiree Hero Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski hosted a Town Hall in Champaign, Illinois yesterday

Rep. Nikki Budzinski - Champaign Town Hall Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Palantir Receives Billions in Taxpayer Dollars to Spy on Federal Workers, Including SSA Employees

The Trump Administration is working with software company Palantir to surveil workers at three federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (SSA), according to a report from the American Prospect.

In March, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted an initial no-bid contract of $3.9 billion to Palantir in order to create and execute a digital tool to enforce compliance with the agency’s return-to-office mandate. Palantir’s payout could potentially grow to reach $13.3 billion by September 30.

The Administration is trying to implement similar surveillance programs to track and report daily staff occupancy rates at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and SSA. Leaders from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) say the heightened surveillance will allow the Administration to use low staffing levels produced by last year’s mass layoffs as a justification for future SSA field office closures and consolidation.

“SSA employees work hard to ensure that Social Security beneficiaries receive the benefits they’ve earned,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “These workers should not have to worry about the federal government spying on them while they’re just doing their job. We urge the Administration to stop these contracts and focus on protecting and strengthening the benefits we earned.”

This week has already been busy for the IARA!

Tuesday was our bimonthly board meeting at UAW Region 4 in Ottawa.

The board approved hosting 3-4 One Day education conferences this summer/fall in Chicago, Central Illinois, Quad Cities and East St Louis areas! Stay tuned for more information about these!

We also finalized our Senior Power Celebration invites which affiliates and labor councils will receive in the mail in the next few weeks!

On Wednesday we hosted our annual Older Americans Month breakfast at the IEA Professional Development Center in Springfield where we heard from IEA President Karl Goeke, candidate for IL-15 Jennifer Todd who we hope will unseat retiree ZERO Mary Miller, and watched a performance of Mother Jones by historical reenactor Loretta Williams!

After breakfast our members joined our brothers and sisters at SEIU Healthcare Illinois at the Capitol to demand people over profits!

*photos at the Capitol from SEIU healthcare Illinois Indiana

A new report found that U.S. employers spend more than $1.5 billion every year on union-busting efforts, including hiring anti-union consultants and law firms to fight workers trying to organize. Amazon alone spent more than $26 million on union-avoidance consultants in 2025.

Despite these efforts, nearly 70% of Americans support labor unions because unions help workers win better wages, safer workplaces, retirement security, and dignity on the job.

The Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans opposes union busting because strong unions built the middle class and helped generations of workers earn pensions, healthcare, Social Security protections, and retirement security. Attacking workers’ right to organize weakens all working families and threatens the economic security of current and future retirees.

Get the details: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/20/how-much-companies-spend-fight-unions

This Memorial Day, the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

We remember not only their courage, but also our responsibility to uphold the values they fought to protect — freedom, dignity, security, and opportunity for all.

As we gather with family and friends this weekend, let us take time to reflect on the sacrifices made by generations of service members and keep their families and loved ones in our thoughts.

We are forever grateful to those who gave their lives in defense of our nation

Senate Democrats unveiled a new long-term care roadmap focused on expanding affordable home care, strengthening nursing home oversight, and supporting caregivers. The proposal includes creating a “home care guarantee” through Medicare — potentially making home care the first new Medicare benefit since Medicare Part D was added in 2006.

Lawmakers said too many families are forced to drain their savings to pay for care, with costs now averaging more than $288,000 a year for around-the-clock home health aides and over $120,000 a year for a private nursing home room.

“America is failing people who are aging and those with disabilities,” the senators wrote, calling for affordable, high-quality care that allows people to live safely at home and in their communities, while also ensuring better wages and support for direct care workers.

The Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans supports this effort because every senior and person with disabilities deserves access to quality, affordable care without being forced into poverty. Expanding home care through Medicare would help older Americans remain independent, stay connected to their communities, and give family caregivers the support they need. Tell your Senators that you support this effort too!