advocacy update | PAG News
This month, Pension Advocacy Group designated August as Legislator Education Month. In past years, many legislators were more available in their district offices during this time. This year, schedules were a little more complicated, and there were fewer opportunities for traditional meetings.
But fewer meetings doesn’t mean less work.
PAG remained focused on educating policymakers, community leaders, members, retirees, and supporters about the pension issues that continue to affect Chicago educators and retirees.
To support that work, we updated our legislative fact sheet, which outlines key concerns related to CTPF, Tier 2, pension protection, and retirement security.
Download PAG’s Legislative Fact Sheet
A Brief Conversation with Mayor Brandon Johnson
On August 2, 2026, Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke at my Sunday worship service. After the service, I had the opportunity to speak with him briefly about pension issues affecting Chicago educators.
It was not a long meeting. It was not a formal presentation. It was one of those moments when you have a small window of time, so you use it.
And I did.
I spoke with the Mayor about the importance of addressing Tier 2 inequities and strengthening retirement security for educators and retirees. PAG believes that Tier 2 must be repealed because it creates unequal membership within the same pension system and leaves newer educators with a less protective path to retirement security.
That message needs to be repeated in every room where pension decisions, education policy, and public funding are being discussed.
PAG founder Tina Padilla spoke briefly with Mayor Brandon Johnson on August 2, 2026, about Tier 2 inequities and retirement security for Chicago educators.
CTPF Investment Consultant Search
The CTPF Investment Committee met on August 6, 2026, to hear presentations from the three finalists in the Fund’s investment consultant search:
- Meketa
- Callan
- NEPC
No final decision was reached at that meeting. Trustees reviewed additional information provided by staff on August 20, 2026, and a final decision is expected at the next Investment Committee meeting on September 3, 2026.
This decision matters.
An investment consultant does not control the Fund, but the consultant plays an important advisory role. The consultant helps guide investment strategy, evaluate managers, review performance, assess risk, and support trustees as they make decisions that affect the long-term health of the Fund.
Based on the finalist presentations, trustee discussion, and the current needs of the Fund, PAG believes Meketa demonstrated the strongest combination of strategic thinking, innovation, and alignment with CTPF’s long-term objectives.
We were encouraged by the motion presented during the August meeting and look forward to the Board’s final decision.
The consultant selection process is an important opportunity for trustees to evaluate whether the Fund is receiving the expertise, fresh perspective, and independent advice necessary to support long-term investment success.
After all, if we are going to keep asking why the funded ratio has not improved more significantly, then we also have to ask who is advising the Fund, what advice is being followed, and whether new ideas are being seriously considered.
Health Insurance Subsidy Update
The CTPF Health Insurance Committee also met on August 6, 2026. Trustees reviewed the 2027 Express Scripts renewal negotiations and received a presentation regarding the retiree health insurance subsidy.
At the regular Board meeting on August 20, 2026, trustees approved decreasing the retiree health insurance subsidy to 55 percent.
This decision will have a meaningful impact on many retirees who rely on this benefit to help offset rising healthcare costs.
Health insurance is not separate from retirement security. For many retirees, healthcare costs are one of the biggest financial concerns they face. Protecting pensions also means paying attention to the benefits, costs, and decisions that affect retirees’ ability to live with dignity and stability.
PAG will continue to watch these issues closely.
Community and Legislative Education
Legislative education does not only happen in a legislator’s office.
It also happens in community meetings, candidate forums, civic spaces, church conversations, retiree gatherings, and anywhere people are trying to understand how public decisions affect their lives.
As part of PAG’s August education efforts, we attended a meeting hosted by 39th Ward Neighbors United, where residents learned more about candidates seeking election to the Chicago Board of Education.
Staying informed about local education policy and governance helps us better advocate for educators, retirees, pension beneficiaries, and public education supporters.
Pension advocacy is connected to public education. Public education is connected to governance. Governance is connected to funding. Funding is connected to retirement security.
And this is why we keep showing up.
Sometimes in boardrooms. Sometimes in church. Sometimes in community meetings. Sometimes on Zoom, whether we are camera-ready or not.
Staying Connected and Informed
On August 24, 2026, I attended the general meeting of the Chicago Metro Retirees, an affiliate of the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans.
The meeting brought together representatives from several major union retiree chapters, with updates from the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, CTU, AFSCME, SEIU, and other retiree advocates. These conversations are important because pension advocacy does not happen in isolation. CTPF members and retirees are part of a larger labor and retiree community working to protect earned benefits, healthcare, retirement security, and dignity for older Americans.
The meeting provided valuable information on issues affecting retirees throughout Illinois. It reminded me how important it is for all of us to remain engaged, informed, and prepared to advocate effectively. For additional context from the retiree advocacy community, watch IARA President Peter Mendoza speaking at AFSCME about retiree engagement and the issues affecting older Americans.
PAG’s work is not only about responding to one meeting, one vote, or one policy decision. It is about building a stronger, more informed community of members, retirees, educators, and supporters who understand what is at stake.
That includes Tier 2.
That includes pension funding.
That includes health insurance.
That includes investment oversight.
That includes public accountability.
And yes, that includes reading the fine print even when the fine print seems determined to test our patience.
Upcoming Events and Resources
Here are several upcoming opportunities and resources for members, retirees, and supporters who want to stay connected and involved:
- Power Luncheon Registration Form
- SEIU Care Fest Registration
- Central Illinois 2026 Regional Conference — September 23
- Quad Cities 2026 Regional Conference — September 30
PAG will continue to share opportunities for education, advocacy, and civic engagement as they become available.
The Bottom Line
August was full, and the work is not slowing down.
PAG remains committed to educating policymakers, supporting retirees, advocating for CTPF members, pushing to repeal Tier 2, and protecting the retirement security educators have earned.
Thank you for continuing to support the Pension Advocacy Group and our mission to educate, protect, restore, and advocate for current and future retirees.
The season may be changing, but the work continues.
Tina
