SB2818 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 17597 RPS 31025 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2818

Introduced 1/13/2026, by Sen. Linda Holmes

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

40 ILCS 5/17-139

from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 17-139

Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision concerning trustees elected by contributors who are not administrators, provides that candidacy petitions shall be filed with the recording secretary of the Fund on or before October 1st of the election year (instead of on or after September 15 of each year and not later than October 1st of that year). Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public employee benefits.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Pension Code is amended by changing Section 17-139 as follows:

(40 ILCS 5/17-139) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 17-139)

Sec. 17-139. Board elections and vacancies.

(1) Contributors other than administrators election. Every member who is not an administrator may vote at the election for as many persons as there are trustees to be elected by the contributors who are not administrators, provided that the contributor obtained that voter eligibility status on or before October 1 of the election year. The name of a candidate shall not be placed on the ballot unless he or she has been assigned on a regular certificate for at least 10 years in the Chicago public schools or charter schools and nominated by a petition signed by not less than 200 contributors who are not administrators.

Petitions shall be filed with the recording secretary of the Fund on or before after September 15 of each year and not later than October 1st of the election that year. No more than one candidate may be nominated by any one petition. If the nominations do not exceed the number of candidates to be elected, the canvassing board shall declare the nominated candidates elected. Otherwise, candidates receiving the highest number of votes cast for their respective terms shall be declared elected. The location and number of polling places shall be designated by the Board.

Elections to fill vacancies on the Board shall be held at the next annual election.

(2) Pensioners election. The name of a candidate shall not be placed on the ballot unless he or she has been nominated by a petition signed by not less than 100 pensioners of the Fund. Petitions shall be filed with the recording secretary of the Fund on or before October 1 of the odd-numbered year. If the nominations do not exceed 3, the mailing of ballots shall be eliminated and the nominated candidates shall be declared elected. Otherwise, the 3 candidates receiving the highest number of votes cast shall be declared elected.

(3) Administrators election. The name of a candidate shall not be placed on the ballot unless he or she has been nominated by a petition signed by at least 25 contributors who are administrators. Petitions shall be filed with the recording secretary of the Fund on or before October 1 of the election year. Every member who is an administrator may vote at the election for one candidate who is a contributor who is an administrator, provided that the member obtained such voter eligibility status on or before October 1 of the election year. If only one eligible candidate is nominated, the election shall not be held and the nominated candidate shall be declared elected. Otherwise, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes cast shall be declared elected.

(4) Vacancies. The Board may fill vacancies occurring in the membership of the Board elected by the administrators, teachers other than administrators, or pensioners at any regular meeting of the Board. The Board of Education may fill vacancies occurring in the membership of the Board appointed by the Board of Education at any regular meeting of the Board of Education.

(Source: P.A. 98-449, eff. 8-16-13.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.