D99 Expected to Discuss Pension-Spiking Raises

The is expected to discuss pension-spiking raises this month for employees approaching retirement.

Currently, long-time employees of D99 who are not administrators—admin staff, maintenance workers and the like—are eligible for 20 percent raises in the final two years of their employment. According to Triblocal, end-of-career raises are designed to increase the amount of money employees receive upon retirement by escalating their final pay, which is used to determine pension payments.

Legislation signed this summer by Gov. Pat Quinn aims to curb the practice by imposing financial penalties to districts the continue the practice with future employees that receive raises of more than six percent.

Whether—and how—to continue the perk is expected to be discussed by the board in the immediate future, as decisions have to be made by the end of the year.

According to Triblocal, when asked about the issue, Board President Bill White declined to comment, citing ongoing discussions, while fellow board member Mike Davenport said the changing economic landscape is forcing business to be handled differently than in the past.

To read more on the subject, check out Triblocal's story here.