A Letter To Illinois Legislators

Illinois Legislators,

I write to you today to urge you to vote NO on any legislation brought forth designed to diminish/"reform" the current firefighter retirement program. The "Article Four" firefighter retirement program was designed to provide a modest retirement annuity to the men and women of Illinois who choose the arduous and noble career of protecting and helping the citizens of Illinois. The current pension system also provides the brave men and women firefighters of Illinois limited comfort knowing that, should we suffer a debilitating injury during the course of helping our neighbors in their times of need, that we will not be cast out to the streets and will still be able to put food on the table for our own children. Both of these important safeguards are provided for Illinois' firefighters with absolutely no financial support of state tax dollar funds. The current system allows the very people being served to directly fund this program for their firefighters only, and not for firefighters protecting citizens in other jurisdictions. This system works well and is the most effective and efficient method to provide for firefighter retirements. A defined contribution type system would not be able to provide adequate protection for firefighters who suffer careen ending injures in the line of duty. The firefighters of Illinois have already made fair concessions concerning retirement benefits with the legislation passed last year. Please don't vote to destroy a good system that is fair to the taxpayers and the men and women firefighters of Illinois, and VOTE NO on any legislation brought forward that "reforms" the retirement program for Illinois firefighters.

John Murdie
Treasurer
Frankfort IAFF L4338
www.frankfortfire.com