SR0085 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0085 LRB095 11336 MJR 32048 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The federal Social Security Act includes two provisions, the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision, that reduce the Social Security benefits payable to persons who are entitled to benefits under the public retirement systems of the State under certain conditions; and

WHEREAS, These provisions penalize individuals who dedicate the majority of their productive years to public service to the State of Illinois, including educators, police officers, and firefighters; and

WHEREAS, These provisions take away benefits that public employees or their spouses have earned by paying into the Social Security system; and

WHEREAS, These provisions often leave public employees facing poverty in their retirement; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is benefited by the recruitment of the best and most able individuals for public employment, but is hindered from doing so because of the offset penalties; and

WHEREAS, These provisions discourage individuals from moving from private sector employment into positions of public employment; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage and support action by the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to repeal the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision from the Social Security Act, or reduce the effects thereof; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be sent to President George W. Bush and to each member of the Illinois congressional delegation.