Very interesting information. capitolfax.com/2017/08/14/whos-bailing-out-whom-these-county-numbers-might-surprise-you/
capitolfax.com
* Sen. Tom Cullerton asked the Legislative Research Unit for some county-by-county data on how much money counties are getting back from the state compared to what residents put in.
From: Clint <Clint@krislovlaw.com>
Sent: Thu, Aug 10, 2017 8:23 am
Subject: retiree update-wednesday's hearing before judge cohen
Dear Retirees,
Wednesday’s hearing was a pretty frustrating experience.
We presented five issues, on which we felt fairly confident.
1. Our renewed motion for Class Certification
2. The judge’s choice of orders to enter for the March hearing at which he ordered audit and reconciliation of the 2013 to 2016 years.
3. The City’s assertion that he lacks jurisdiction over the post-2013 reconciliations.
4. The Funds’ report on the actions to fulfil their obligations to provide healthcare coverage for the annuitants for 2018.
5. The City’s report on the progress in the audit and reconciliation process.
After about two hours of hearing, attended by perhaps 40 of you,
Judge Cohen finally ruled that he instead has no jurisdiction over the post-2013 reconciliations, yet he has set September 14 as the next status for the city to report on the 2014-2016 reconciliation process timetable.
Denied class certification again, preferring to await rulings on the merits if the Supreme Court takes our appeal.
The transcript should be out by the end of the week, we hope, and we’ll post it.
But I do not believe that we can expect judge cohen to follow through on actually ordering the city or the Funds to comply with any of their obligations, unless he is ordered to do so by the appellate court.
Accordingly, we will put our efforts into our Petition to the Illinois Supreme Court, which is due September 7, and we may try to get the class certification and jurisdiction issues up there as well.
It will be a challenging but important month ahead. Your contributions are invited and welcome.
Finally, after I presented to the Firefighters union last week seeking their assistance, they instead have sent their counsel to intervene in our case. As I advised their lawyer, if they are here to help, we welcome them. But their actual purpose remains to be seen.
Clint Krislov
Krislov & Associates, Ltd.
Civic Opera Building, Suite 1300-Note new suite number!
20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
T.312-606-0500
Facsimile: 312-739-1098
Email: clint@krislovlaw.com
Website: www.krislovlaw.com
krislovlaw.com
Krislov Law is a Chicago based law firm which advocates tirelessly for their clients in high stakes litigation on behalf of investors, consumers and taxpayers,and is dedicated to protecting consumer, investor and taxpayer rights in class action matters.
www.investmentnews.com/article/20170808/FREE/170809933/as-longevity-stalls-corporations-enjoy-a-w...
As longevity stalls, corporations enjoy a windfall on pensions, benefits
investmentnews.com
Firms are cutting the estimates of what they'll have to pay retirees, and in some cases, it adds up to billions.
Bad News
Sent: Mon, Aug 7, 2017 5:44 pm
Subject: Retiree Update- underwood v city appellate court denial of petition for rehearing.pdf
Dear Retirees,
I’m very sorry to report that the Appellate court has denied our petition for rehearing.
So we have 35 days from august 3, 2017 to file our petition.(Due: October 7, 2017)
We’re working on it right now.
Your contributions are appreciated.
Clint
Clint Krislov
Krislov & Associates, Ltd.
Civic Opera Building, Suite 1300
20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Telephone: 312-606-0500
Facsimile: 312-739-1098
Website: www.krislovlaw.com
Email: clint@krislovlaw.com
On Tuesday, August 1, 2017, Michalene <Michalene@krislovlaw.com> wrote:
From: Clint
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2017 1:13 PM
Subject: Retiree Update-New Hearing Date is Next Wednesday August 9, 2017 at 10:00 am; Judge Cohen room 2308-we are also adding a renewed motion for class certification, which we filed for August 4, but will be addressed as well on august 9.
We did our best to contact everyone when we heard that Judge Cohen was ill yesterday, and had to reset the hearing.
It’s been set now for AUGUST 9, 2017 at 10:00 AM.
We’re adding as well our re-renewed motion to certify the case as a class case for classes 3, 3a and 4. That will be presented on the 9th as well.
We welcome any questions in the meantime, and hope the FOP and Firemen come through this week.
Your calls to your unions for help may have some influence as well.
Happy to answer any questions.
Contributions always welcome.
Clint
Clint Krislov
Krislov & Associates, Ltd.
Civic Opera Building, Suite 1300
20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Telephone: 312-606-0500
Facsimile: 312-739-1098
Website: www.krislovlaw.com
Email: clint@krislovlaw.com
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge #7
July 26, 2017
Retiree Healthcare Court Date
The next court date for the retiree healthcare case is 31 July 2017. Judge Cohen, will preside in room 2308 at 1030 hours at the Richard J. Daley Center located at 50 West Washington in Chicago, Illinois.
For your convenience, the FOP has hired a bus to pick up and deliver all interested members to court. The bus will be in front of the FOP on Monday morning at 0930 hours and will return to FOP again after court.
Parking is difficult at FOP now, so if you plan on attending and riding the bus, you must call the FOP Offices at 312-733-7776 so that parking spots can be scheduled at Plumbers Hall.
This is a very important court date, where refunds for the years 2014 and 2015 will be finalized. There are millions of dollars involved. Please consider attending.
President Kevin Graham
Chicago Lodge 7
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge #7
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge #7
1412 W. Washington Blvd.
Chicago IL 60607
Sent by doreen@chicagofop.org
FirstResponderPensionFacts shared a Ammie Kessem: Candidate for Illinois State Representative, District 19.
Ammie Kessem: Candidate for Illinois State Representative, District 19
Ammie Kessem is a Candidate for Illinois State Representative, District 19
chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/rahm-emanuel-email-takes-center-stage-in-retiree-health-car...
Rahm Emanuel email takes center stage in retiree health care case
chicago.suntimes.com
A private email written by Mayor Rahm Emanuel bragging about the now-completed, three-year phase-out of health care coverage for city retirees is
Ammie Kessem is running for Illinois State Rep for District 19. She is an active Chicago Police officer as well as a wonderful mother and wife for her family. She has our best interests at heart and wants to help. Show her your support by selecting LIKE and then SHARE her page to your timeline to let even more people know about her. www.facebook.com/Ammie-Kessem-Real-Candidate-for-I…/
Ammie Kessem: Candidate for Illinois State Representative, District 19
Ammie Kessem is a Candidate for Illinois State Representative, District 19
Part two
protectpensions.org/2017/07/17/pension-crisis-myth-part-two/
The "Pension Crisis" is a Myth, Part Two - NPPC
protectpensions.org
The so-called pension crisis is a myth perpetuated by people hostile to traditional pensions. Today we examine the truth about unfunded liabilities.
Read the article and make up your own mind.
protectpensions.org/2017/07/13/pension-crisis-myth-part-one/
The "Pension Crisis" is a Myth, Part One - NPPC
protectpensions.org
The so-called pension crisis is a myth peddled by critics of traditional pensions. Here we examine the claims of one promoter of the pension crisis myth.
I know this woman and I believe she will have our best interests at heart as she runs for the District 19 Illinois State Representative. She is an active Chicago Police Officer. Please check out her page and show her what ever support you can. Don't forget to LIKE her page. Thank you
www.facebook.com/Ammie-Kessem-Real-Candidate-for-Illinois-State-Representative-District-19-313670...
Ammie Kessem: Candidate for Illinois State Representative, District 19
Ammie Kessem is a Candidate for Illinois State Representative, District 19
preaprez.wordpress.com/2017/07/10/what-they-just-did-to-the-illinois-teacher-pension-system/
What they just did to the Illinois teacher pension system.
preaprez.wordpress.com
On Friday evening those of us who are members of the Illinois Teachers Retirement System received an email blast informing us that “significant changes” had taken place to the pension s…
www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/chicago-public-schools-make-teachers-pension-payment/a8d641cb-67bc-4...
Chicago Public Schools Make Teachers Pension Payment
wbez.org
Chicago schools made a massive teachers pension payment on Friday that’s been looming over the district all year.
fop7blog.org/news/2017/6/28/no-doomsday-approaching-for-police-pension-fund
No Doomsday Approaching For Police Pension Fund
fop7blog.org
Two recent articles by a reporter from a publication that takes aim at public pensions, claiming the Chicago Police Pension will be broke by 2021. Chicago City Wire reporter Michael McGrady sounded the alarm bell: Without a taxpayer bailout, Chicago’s police pension fund won’t have enough
www.yahoo.com/news/chicago-mayor-proposes-city-ordinance-boost-pension-funding-204102528--sector....
Chicago mayor proposes city ordinance to boost pension funding
yahoo.com
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday proposed an ordinance that would lock in higher city payments to two pension funds after state legislation to do so became mired in Illinois' political stalemate. The ordinance would put payments for the city's municipal and laborers' pensions on a
FYI
From: Clint
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2017 11:09 AM
Subject: Retiree Update-Wednesday's hearing before Judge Cohen
The tide seems to be turning in our direction.
The short description of where we are, the direction we’re heading, and the time frames:
The audit and reconciliation first cut from the city on 2013-2d half should be out by June 30.
The city will report by July 31 on the timetable for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 audits and reconciliations. Judge Cohen seems to side with us on getting these done sooner rather than later, and will push the city to get these done as soon as possible.
Next major hearing: July 31, 2017 at 10:30am
Will address at least three issues:
First, hearing will deal with any challenge by the city to the court’s jurisdiction for post-2013 years. (He seems to agree with us on this one, that he has jurisdiction to proceed on the post-2013 audits.)
Second, he’ll enter an order regarding the City’s obligation to audit, reconcile and refund for post-2013 years.
Third, the July 31 hearing will also deal with certifying the class 3 (hired by 8/23/1989) as a certified class, which he indicated his likelihood of finally doing.
Still no word from the appellate court on a hearing/argument date, but we’ll keep pushing on that.
We had a good turnout yesterday. Thanks to those of you who came out, we’re going to emphasize your presence there each time, the impact upon real people, and their concerns. So showing up is a priority. We’ll let you know each time in advance. If you can come, please do so.
Retiree Contributions are still needed. Union contributions are uncertain at best, waiting, delayed; from Local 2, the firefighters, nothing at all.
So we still greatly depend on your contributions to keep this going.
Longer description:
Yesterday’s hearing was supposed to be the culmination of how to word the formal audit and reconciliation order from the March hearing, at which he seemed quite clear.
Background. The last Korshak settlement had an annual Audit and Reconciliation provision, which produced about $5 million in refunds each year. In May 2013, the City announced its extension of the benefits of the settlement through 2016; with permanent benefits for the Korshak and window retirees, but intending to phase out coverage for everyone else. As 2013 ended, we requested the City, then the court, to order them to audit the full 2013 year, not just the first half, through the settlement’s original end. The city refused. Judge Cohen denied our motion; we appealed, and the appellate court last September reversed and directed the circuit court to order the audit and reconciliation of the rest of 2013.
When the case got back to him, 2014 and 2015 were complete, and 2016 nearly so; so we moved for audit and reconciliation of all the years; and he essentially agreed with us, but the formal order would take some crafting. In the view that we could collegially work out an accurate order, and bring it back to him for signature, we drafted an order that we think quite accurately reflected his ruling. The City responded, looking to revise and water it down in ways that we objected to. We submitted our respective drafts, briefed the issue, and appeared before him again. He planned to read through everything and decide whose order to enter yesterday.
At yesterday’s hearing, the city reported that they are on schedule to present an initial report on reconciling the last half of 2013 by June 30. It then gets sent to an independent auditor, but usually gets essentially upheld. The city is committed to giving us the best outcome, whether calculated based on all of 2013, or just the last half. Either way, you’ve already received refunds for 2013 1st half, so I have no certainty of what the last half will show. We’ll see, and let you know, probably on June 30.
We then battled a bit over the audit of the remaining years 2014, 2015 and 2016. The city says that each year has to be begun, then completed, before the next year can begin. Our auditor disagrees, but the city will have to come up with some schedule at the next hearing.
The judge asked for a resubmission of our briefs on the A&R Order, and we think he’ll probably enter our version on July 31. See attachment.
He had raised a question of whether he has jurisdiction over the post-2013 period; the City jumped on it at the last hearing, asserting that we should have to file a new complaint. I strenuously objected, said the City’s assertion was silly, that they were just trying to drag this out further, and we filed a memorandum to that effect (also attached). He seems to side with us on this issue, but is giving the city the opportunity to respond.
Class certification of Class 3. Since we were bringing up issues pending but not yet decided, I raised the issue of the Class 3 (hired by 8/23/1989) and “suggested” that it is time to certify this class, which is the core claimant group, by numbers and dollars, in light of the fact that all of the decisions treat it as a distinct class. He actually seemed to side with us on this issue finally; and pressed the city and Funds present on their positions. The City’s lawyers advised the need to consult with “their client” so he has given them time to respond on the issue, but set that for determination on July 31 as well; and indicating his strong inclination to finally certify that group as a class.
Clint Krislov
Krislov & Associates, Ltd.
Civic Opera Building, Suite 1300
20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Telephone: 312-606-0500
Facsimile: 312-739-1098
Website: www.krislovlaw.com
Email: clint@krislovlaw.com
krislovlaw.com
Krislov Law is a Chicago based law firm which advocates tirelessly for their clients in high stakes litigation on behalf of investors, consumers and taxpayers,and is dedicated to protecting consumer, investor and taxpayer rights in class action matters.
chicagocitywire.com/stories/511130434-projection-chicago-s-police-pension-fund-will-be-broke-in-2021
Projection: Chicago's police pension fund will be broke in 2021
chicagocitywire.com
Without a taxpayer bailout, Chicago’s police pension fund won’t have enough money to pay benefits to retirees in 2021, according to a projection by Local Government Information Services (LGIS), which publishes Chicago City Wire.
www.wsj.com/articles/two-state-solution-to-pension-underfunding-1497904791
Two-State Solution to Pension Underfunding?
wsj.com
In 2010 Illinois was one of the first states to drastically reduce future pension benefits for new teachers and public workers to cut costs.
Share this post to your timeline. Non police need to see it too.
chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/police-pension-not-to-blame-for-property-tax-increase/
Police pensions not to blame for property-tax increase
chicago.suntimes.com
LETTERS: Quit blaming the cost of police pensions, instead of the shabby business practices of the city and state, for property-tax increase.
