PAG News | advocacy update
On Wednesday, May 27th, I traveled to Springfield with PAG Ambassador Program interns Maria, LaTe’ja, and Sawyer to participate alongside members of the Chicago Teachers Union, retirees, workers, and community advocates during a Day of Action at the State Capitol.
This was not my first trip to the Capitol, but it felt different. I believe it was because I was traveling with people who had never experienced this. We arrived with a clear purpose: to learn, listen, participate, and help connect the issues being discussed at the Capitol back to the pension concerns facing educators, retirees, and future members.
Our focus included the repeal of Tier 2, protecting Social Security and health care, and supporting public investment in schools and communities. Just as important, we came prepared to share our stories and help others understand why pension advocacy is connected to the broader fight for public education, public services, and retirement security.
Why We Went to Springfield
Our day began at the Older Americans Month Breakfast, hosted by the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans at the IEA Professional Development Center in Springfield. The program included remarks from labor and public officials, along with a performance honoring the legacy of Mother Jones and the long history of organized advocacy.
Then we made our way to the Stratton Building, where we had appointments to see several legislators. But when we arrived, we were told that they were all on the floor. From there, we walked through the special basement tunnel to get to the Capitol Building rotunda, where educators, workers, retirees, and community members gathered for the Day of Action.
The rally focused on revenue solutions to better fund Illinois schools and protect public services from continued budget pressure. While the central message of the day was public education funding, PAG sees these issues as deeply connected to pension advocacy.
Public education, fair funding, retirement security, and pension protection are all part of the same larger conversation about how we value educators, students, workers, retirees, and communities.
Why This Matters to Pension Advocacy
Pension advocacy does not happen in isolation.
The same legislative decisions that shape school funding, public services, Tier 2 rules, retiree security, and public-sector priorities also shape the environment in which CTPF members earn, protect, and rely on their pensions.
When legislators make decisions about funding and public policy, those decisions can affect educators throughout their careers and into retirement. That is why PAG believes members must stay informed, ask questions, and participate before decisions are made without them.
Public participation at CTPF meetings, trustee forums, legislative hearings, rallies, and community events all matters. If we do not show up, speak up, and follow up, others will write our story for us.
What We Saw and Heard
The day was filled with energy, movement, and purpose. We saw retirees, teachers, younger advocates, labor leaders, and community members standing together in the Capitol to call attention to issues affecting public education and working families.
For PAG, one of the most important parts of the day was seeing newer advocates experience Springfield firsthand. Advocacy can sound abstract until you are standing in the building where policy decisions are made, watching people use their voices in real time.
That experience matters. It helps members understand that advocacy is not only something done by organizations or officials. It is something members can participate in directly.
Springfield Photo Highlights
A few moments from the day, including the rally, Capitol visit, and time spent with PAG Ambassador Program interns and fellow advocates.
Reflections from the Day
Each person who went with me brought back something meaningful from the experience.
Tina:
“The trip reinforced PAG’s mission to educate, protect, and restore confidence in defined benefit pensions through our collective learning.”
Maria:
“Your voice matters. You can make a difference with even the smallest comment if it is aimed at positive change.”
LaTe’ja:
“The most memorable moment was witnessing so many different people coming together, united in purpose.”
Sawyer:
“Our visit to Springfield was an opportunity to witness the strength of grassroots action.”
Together, these reflections point to the same lesson: public participation matters, and members should see advocacy as something they can be part of, not something that happens somewhere else.
What PAG Will Continue Watching
PAG will continue to monitor issues that affect CTPF members, retirees, beneficiaries, and future educators.
This includes:
- Tier 2 pension legislation and efforts related to repeal or reform
- CTPF governance, communication, and public accountability
- Legislation that may affect Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund
- Public education funding and revenue proposals
- Opportunities for members to participate in public meetings, trustee elections, and legislative advocacy
We are also reviewing recent pension-related legislation from the 104th General Assembly session and plan to share more information in an upcoming PAG newsletter.
Looking Ahead
PAG’s advocacy work will continue to focus on educating, protecting, and restoring confidence in defined benefit pensions for Chicago Public School educators.
That work is stronger when members stay informed and involved.
Showing up in Springfield reminded us that advocacy is not a one-time event. It is a continued commitment to learning, speaking up, building relationships, and protecting the systems that support educators during their careers and in retirement.
Still showing up, still speaking up,
Tina
