The CTPF Board of Trustees adopted four legislative priorities for 2026.
Find a Summary of CTPF’s Legislative Priorities here.
- Health Insurance Funding Increase SB 1893 | HB 4396
SB 1893 - PEN CD-CTPF-HEALTH INS COSTS
Sponsored by Sen. Robert F. Martwick
HB 4396 - PEN CD-CTPF-HEALTH INS COSTS
Sponsored by Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
This proposal introduced in both the Illinois House and Senate, would increase annual partial reimbursement for health insurance for CTPF retirees from $65M to $100M, and provide for an inflation adjustment for the subsidy based on the consumer price index-u.
- This change aims to address the rising costs of health insurance and the growing number of retirees, ensuring that the subsidy provided to pensioners remains sustainable.
- CTPF has provided a subsidy for health insurance since 1986. The current subsidy amount has been capped at $65 million since 2004.
- This bill enjoys widespread support from CTPF’s 98,000 members, and from the Retired Teachers Association of Chicago and the Chicago Teachers Union. CTPF Testifies in Springfield in Support of SB 1893.
Member Summary
This legislation protects CTPF retirees from sharp, avoidable increases in out-of-pocket health insurance costs by raising a cap that has been frozen at $65 million since 2004, even as the retiree population has grown more than 40% and medical and prescription drug costs have risen far faster than inflation. By raising the annual limit to $100 million and indexing it to the Consumer Price Index-U going forward, the legislation helps sustain the current CTPF subsidy, maintain stable high-quality coverage for retirees, and reduce the risk of disruptive benefit changes or premium spikes expected as early as 2027.
More Information
- Payroll Record Retention SB 2861 | HB 4576
SB 2861 - PEN CD-CTPF-RECORD RETENTION
Sponsored by Sen. Sara Feigenholtz
HB 4576 - PEN CD-CTPF-RECORD RETENTION
Sponsored by Rep. Janet Yang Rohr
These proposals, introduced in the Illinois House and Senate require employers to maintain payroll records for at least five years, aligning with audit requirements.
This proposal aligns the record retention period with the CTPF Audit cycle and ensures that CTPF has access to the necessary records for conducting employer audits.
Member Summary
This legislation requires employers to maintain payroll records for at least five years. Members should support this because aligning recordkeeping requirements with CTPF audit needs ensures that CTPF has access to the necessary records for conducting employer audits, necessary to ensure accurate employee contributions, service credit, and future benefit payments.
- PA 104-0498: Electoral Petition Deadline Fix SB 2818 | HB 4575
On June 26, 2026, Governor J. B. Pritzker signed HB 4575, now PA 104-0498 into law. The legislation widens the filing period for CTPF Trustee elections and is effective immediately.
SB 2818 - PEN CD-CTPF-TRUSTEE ELECTION
Sponsored by Sen. Linda Holmes
HB 4575 - PEN CD-CTPF-TRUSTEE ELECTION
Sponsored by Rep. Janet Yang Rohr
- Local Government Pension Buyout Program SB 3404
SB 3404 - PEN CD-ACCEL BENEFIT PAYMENT
Sponsored by Sen. Robert F. Martwick, Sen. Chris Balkema, and Sen. Li Arellano, Jr.
Bill Summary
The bill authorizes employers, including the Chicago Board of Education, to establish a voluntary accelerated pension benefit program available from implementation through June 30, 2028, and as amended would include the Chicago Teachers Article of the Pension Code. Eligible members may, during this period, elect a one time, irrevocable lump sum payment in exchange for future pension benefits and eligible Tier 1 members may elect a one-time irrevocable lump sum payment for a reduction in future automatic annual increases. Participation is optional for both employers and members.Member Summary
CTPF supports this bill because it creates a voluntary, carefully defined framework that balances member choice with fund safeguards.More Information
SB 3404 Fact Sheet