Subject: Pension legislation update

According to news reports in the State Journal-Register, Sangamon County Circuit Judge John Belz issued on May 14 a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction blocking implementation of recent pension legislation (PA 98-0599) until further action of the court or resolution of litigation regarding the pension legislation.

In the long term, depending on the outcome of the pending litigation, the law that has now been stayed may be partially or fully implemented.

Thus, quite recent developments regarding the implementation of the law introduce further uncertainty for EIU faculty and staff who are currently deciding whether to retire.

We are getting some questions from faculty and staff who have already retired this spring as to whether they can change the date of their retirement.

Eastern Illinois University’s long-standing practice has been that if a person who has chosen to retire requests a change in the effective date of retirement, such a request is considered. In a small number of cases, those requests have been approved. Typically in those cases, the change in date has been for relatively short periods of time. We will continue our practice, and decisions will be made on a case by case basis. Questions regarding a change in retirement date should be directed to the vice president of your division.

The uncertainty regarding the pension system has weighed on all of us for the past few years. Nonetheless, you have stayed the course, making good on Eastern’s promise of excellence in higher education. Thank you for your commitment and continuing service to EIU.

Sincerely,        

Bill Perry

President