On the Watch

This summer, PAG has been actively engaging with key legislators to address the issue of Tier 2 pensions. Our most recent meeting was held on September 3, 2024, with Senator Martwick and Representative LaPointe. During the meeting, we presented factual information, shared testimonies, and discussed the necessary steps to rectify past mistakes and ensure a fair and comprehensive pension system with Tier 1 benefits for all employees. We believe that this approach is both moral and just, especially for the vital workers who shape our youth and deserve a dignified and equitable retirement.

Three Pension Advocacy Group (PAG) members who were present for this discussion included Faith Marie Ruiz, Ray Wohl, and Javier Pagon. These amazing educators motivated me to create a new logo for PAG.  

As I reflected on how to express gratitude to these wonderful individuals and others who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes, I realized that all the educators on the screen shared a common trait - we are all entrepreneurs currently running either a nonprofit or for-profit organization.

 

Ray Wohl, PAG board member, and retired CPS teacher, is the founder and Business Director of Chicago Male Clinic a holistic approach to male health. https://chicagomaleclinic.com/

Faith Marie Ruiz PAG board member, and retired CPS teacher, and president of Boundaries Publisher. Currently still working with children, women, and older persons. Mari is a children’s book author. Her first, WHAT WELA LEFT ME. https://www.amazon.com/What-Wela-Left-faith-marie/dp/B0C9GH5JY5

Javier Pagán is a member of PAG and an active high school music teacher. He is truly a force for good. In addition to helping his students, he has started a nonprofit to help teachers overcome the increasingly complex challenges of being an educator. https://www.humanvaluescollective.org/

Tina Padilla is a retired CPS educator and founding member of PAG. She is currently the representative of the Pension Advocacy Group. (The website has not been launched yet)

We all agree that Tier 2 is detrimental to Illinois and our community because it fails to provide a dignified and secure retirement. It creates division and an unfair work environment and diminishes services and economic impact on Illinois. We are determined to rectify our Defined Benefit Pension system for all.