The Ruling Class: Judges’ Retirement System

View as PDF CHICAGO—Taxpayers United of America (TUA) today released the results of their updated analysis of the Judges’ Retirement System (JRS) of Illinois.
“There’s no question that Illinois has an elite, ruling class that is made wealthy on the backs of the hard-working middle class,” stated Jim Tobin, TUA president.
“Our analysis of JRS reveals more of the same taxpayer abuse that we have found across the state’s government pension system. Not only do these judges benefit from the redistribution of taxpayer wealth, they also rule in their own favor to protect the Illinois pension cabal when practical, necessary reforms are challenged in the courts.”
“This system is ripe with conflicts of interest and corruption and it is protected at every level of a government that chooses to serve itself rather than the constituents it was intended to protect. The following facts about JRS should dispel the myth that the system is fair and that taxpayers need to further subsidize this mess,” added Tobin.

  • The average JRS pension is $117,473
  • The average years of service are 18
  • The average age of retirement is 62
  • Total number of JRS pension beneficiaries is approximately 1,121
  • 751, or 67%, collect pensions in excess of $100,000
  • 1,011, or 90% of retired judges, collect pensions in excess of $50,000
  • The average amount that employees paid to their own pension fund is $124,387, or 4.5% of their estimated lifetime government pension payout
  • The average estimated lifetime government pension payout is $2.8 million*
  • In fiscal year 2015, forced taxpayer subsidies to the fund were $134,039,684 or 90% of total contributions
  • In fiscal year 2015, judges’ payments to their own pension fund was $15,431,105
  • As of the end of fiscal year 2015, JRS had a 35.4% funded ratio with a $1.5 billion unfunded liability

“It is unconscionable that any educated person could actually defend this system and not strike it down for what it is – a grab for taxpayers’ wallets to fund the political elite ruling class of Illinois.”
“As our data indicates, taxpayers have already paid more than their fair share of retirement benefits for these ‘poor civil servants,’, but these very judges have ruled that taxpayers must pay again and again for the mismanagement and unrealistic promises made so many years ago.”

“Tobias G. Barry remains at the top of our list with a very lucrative $210,205 annual pension benefit! The lifetime accumulation of those payments will reach a cool $2.5 million. His payments to that gold-plated pension were only $171,583.”
“Sheila M. O’Brien tops the list for estimated lifetime payouts. Retiring at only 55, she could realize more than $7.9 million in taxpayer funded pension benefits. Her current annual payment is a very comfortable $192,039.”
“Perhaps you remember Peg M. Breslin from our recent General Assembly Retirement System (GARS) analysis. Her annual GARS pension is $112,754. She also graces the JRS list of pensioners with a second annual pension of $73,182. Her total lifetime estimated payout could top $5.4 million. This poor civil servant had to work well into her fifties (56) to enjoy this loophole we like to call double-dipping!”

“Although JRS has been stealing taxpayer wealth since 1941, the really lavish payouts can be attributed to the efforts of Democrat Speaker of the Illinois House, Michael J. Madigan, who has plagued Illinois taxpayers for forty-five years and should be thrown out of office in the March 15 Illinois primary. The ever powerful Boss Madigan has supported and promoted the passage of legislation to make these government pensions so very lucrative,” charged Tobin.
“It’s time for the elite political ruling class of Illinois to do what is right for taxpayers and to quit padding their bank accounts with the sweat of the working-class. It’s time for Boss Madigan and these judges to make government pension reform a reality,” concluded Tobin.
*Lifetime estimated pension payout includes 3% compounded COLA and assumes life expectancy of 85 (IRS Form 590).

Reboot Illinois|Top 25 legislators receiving the biggest Illinois pensions

Taxpayers United of America’s recent data release of an updated list of lawmaker pensions in the General Assembly Retirement System was used by Reboot Illinois.


Which retired state lawmakers have the biggest Illinois pensions?
Taxpayers United of America, an organization that advocates for tax relief and “fighting government pensions,” has released an updated list of lawmaker pensions in the General Assembly Retirement System.
At the end of fiscal year 2015, the pension fund had a funded ratio of 16.4 percent — the lowest of the state’s five retirement systems — and $278.8 million in unfunded liabilities. Here are some more fast facts from the 2015 comprehensive annual financial report:
Average member salary: $89,241
Active members: 145
Active retirees: 309
Total active beneficiaries (including survivors): 424
Required employee contribution rate: 11.5 percent
Participant contributions: $1.49 million
Employer contributions: $15.87 million
Total participant contributions as percent of total contributions revenue: 8.6 percent
Average age at retirement: 60
Average pension: $58,644
Average length of service: 13.4 years
Following is a list of the Top 25 legislators who are receiving the biggest annual pension payouts as of Jan. 27, 2016.
*TUA’s calculation for estimated lifetime pension payout assumes a life expectancy of 85 (IRS Form 590) and the 3 percent compounded cost-of-living adjustment.

25. Rep. Ralph Capparelli (D-Chicago)

Ralph-Capparelli
Annual Pension: $123,282
Member Contributions: $160,576
Age at Retirement: 80
Pension Collected to Date: $1.13 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $1.13 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 14.2%

24. Rep. Arthur L. Turner (D-Chicago)

Arthur-L.-Turner
Annual Pension: $123,420
Member Contributions: $189,941
Age at Retirement: 60
Pension Collected to Date: $563,976
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3.66 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 5.2%

23. Rep. Chuck Hartke, director, Illinois Department of Agriculture (D-Teutopolis)

Chuck-Hartke-21
Annual Pension: $123,432
Member Contributions: $112,308
Age at Retirement: 63
Pension Collected to Date: $874,473
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $2.98 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 3.8%

22. Rep. William T. Ryder (R-Jerseyville)

William-T.-Ryder
Annual Pension: $123,930
Member Contributions: $138,330
Age at Retirement: 55
Pension Collected to Date: $1.25 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4.15 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 3.3%

21. Rep. Kurt Granberg (D-Carlyle)

Kurt-Granberg
Annual Pension: $125,738
Member Contributions: $121,757
Age at Retirement: 55
Pension Collected to Date: $800,358
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4.88 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 2.5%

20. Rep. Samuel McGrew (D-Galesburg)

Sam-McGrew

Source: SlidePlayer
Annual Pension: $127,992
Member Contributions: $76,963
Age at Retirement: 55
Pension Collected to Date: $1.53 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3.92 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 2.0%

19. Rep. Lee Daniels, former House Speaker from 1995-1997 (R-Elmhurst)

Lee-Daniels
Annual Pension: $128,161
Member Contributions: $181,640
Age at Retirement: 64
Pension Collected to Date: $988,156
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $2.81 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 6.5%

18. Rep. Robert Molaro (D-Chicago)

Robert-Molaro
Annual Pension: $129,924
Member Contributions: $109,860
Age at Retirement: 58
Pension Collected to Date: $818,708
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4.31 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 2.5%

17. Sen. Timothy Degnan, former adviser to Richard M. Daley (D-Chicago)

Tim-Degnan
Annual Pension: $130,014
Member Contributions: $85,291
Age at Retirement: 55
Pension Collected to Date: $2.0 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3.32 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 2.6%

16. Sen. Richard M. Daley, former Cook County state’s attorney and mayor of Chicago (D-Chicago)

Richard-M.-Daley
Annual Pension: $132,393
Member Contributions: $88,434
Age at Retirement: 69
Pension Collected to Date: $583,892
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $2.28 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 3.9%

15. Sen. Doris Karpiel (R-Carol Stream)

Doris-Karpiel
Annual Pension: $132,428
Member Contributions: $95,999
Age at Retirement: 68
Pension Collected to Date: $1.32 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $2.02 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 4.7%

14. Sen. Dan Rutherford, former state treasurer (R-Chenoa)

Dan-Rutherford
Annual Pension: $132,616
Member Contributions: $173,209
Age at Retirement: 59
Pension Collected to Date: $122,650
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4.96 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 3.5%

13. Gov. Pat Quinn (D)

Pat-Quinn-top-e1413566630981
Annual Pension: $133,168
Member Contributions: $197,925
Age at Retirement: 66
Pension Collected to Date: $136,216
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3.25 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 6.1%

12. Sen. Carl Hawkinson (R-Galesburg)

Carol-Hawkinson
Annual Pension: $135,366
Member Contributions: $136,036
Age at Retirement: 58
Pension Collected to Date: $1.16 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4.11 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 3.3%

11. Rep. Thomas Homer (D-Canton)

Thomas-Homer
Annual Pension: $137,276
Member Contributions: $78,093
Age at Retirement: 55
Pension Collected to Date: $1.47 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4.24 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 1.8%

10. Sen. Emil Jones, Jr. (D-Chicago)

Emil-Jones-Jr
Annual Pension: $146,073
Member Contributions: $206,924
Age at Retirement: 73
Pension Collected to Date: $884,497
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $1.66 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 12.5%

9. Sen. James “Pate” Philip (R-Addison)

James-Philip
Annual Pension: $146,782
Member Contributions: $330,125
Age at Retirement: 72
Pension Collected to Date: $1.52 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $1.52 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 21.7%

8. Gov. James Thompson (R)

James-Thompson
Annual Pension: $147,477
Member Contributions: $84,996
Age at Retirement: 55
Pension Collected to Date: $2.59 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3.38 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 2.5%

7. Roland Burris, former Illinois attorney general, comptroller and U.S. senator (D)

Roland-Burris
Annual Pension: $149,734
Member Contributions: $134,680
Age at Retirement: 57
Pension Collected to Date: $2.31 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3.46 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 3.9%

6. Rep. Gary Hannig (D-Litchfield)

Gary-Hannig
Annual Pension: $150,967
Member Contributions: $176,273
Age at Retirement: 58
Pension Collected to Date: $628,808
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5.24 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 3.4%

5. Gov. Jim Edgar (R)

Jim-Edgar-e1396902996587
Annual Pension: $156,331
Member Contributions: $164,657
Age at Retirement: 55
Pension Collected to Date: $1.85 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4.75 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 3.5%

4. Sen. John Friedland (R-South Elgin)

John-Friedland1
Annual Pension: $163,051
Member Contributions: $66,716
Age at Retirement: 55
Pension Collected to Date: $2.64 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3.89 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 1.7%

3. Rep. Judy Erwin (D-Chicago)

Judy-Erwin
Judy Erwin
Annual Pension: $164,010
Member Contributions: $238,038
Age at Retirement: 60
Pension Collected to Date: $818,027
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4.94 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 4.8%

2. Sen. Edward Petka (R-Plainfield)

Edward-Petka
Annual Pension: $186,968
Member Contributions: $171,449
Age at Retirement: 66
Pension Collected to Date: $1.03 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3.68 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 4.7%

1. Sen. Arthur L. Berman (D-Chicago)

Arthur-Berman-2
Annual Pension: $235,829
Member Contributions: $109,293
Age at Retirement: 66
Pension Collected to Date: $2.68 million
Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3.67 million*
Percent Contributed to Lifetime Payout: 3.0%
You can see Taxpayers United of America’s complete list and analysis here.

WCMY|Watchdog group lists pension payouts to former lawmakers

TUA president and founder, Jim Tobin, was quoted by WCMY radio , about the recent Illinois General Assembly Retirees’ pension release.


Chicago — Taxpayers United of America says the Illinois legislature’s generous pensions have a lot do with why the state is broke. The organization announced Tuesday, its analysis of pension contributions and payouts shows the average former lawmaker has paid in less than $53,000 but will get about $1.3 million back in retirement. The organization says the General Assembly system is not about poor civil servants and fairness.
Among the local examples on the group’s list:

  • Former St. Rep. Peg Breslin who later served as an appellate court judge paid in $60,000 and gets almost twice that every year for a pension. She has received $1.2 million so far.
  • Former St. Rep. Pat Welch paid in $129,000 and has been paid $810,000 so far on his way to a projected $2.8 million.
  • Former St. Rep. Tom Walsh, now a LaSalle County Board member put in $91,000 and has received nearly $1 million so far.
  • Dennis Hastert, who went on to serve in the U.S. House including a period as the House Speaker, paid in just $19,000 to get $28,000 per year and $413,000 so far.
  • Former St. Sen. Gary Dahl paid in just under $50,000 and has received $115,000 so far.

Excerpted data from TUA’s list released Tuesday.

Illinois General Assembly retirees’ pensions as of January 27, 2016
reported by Taxpayers United of America
Projections assume life expectancy of 85 and 3% cost of living adjustment compounded annually
Name Current Annual Pension Member Contributions to Pension Fund Age at Retirement Total Pension Collected to Date Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout Employee Contribution % of Estimated Lifetime Payout
Peg M. Breslin  $ 112,754  $  60,556 56  $ 1,220,719.79  $ 3,317,816 1.8%
Patrick D. Welch  $  85,533  $ 129,138 56  $  810,456.80  $ 2,813,172 4.6%
Tom P. Walsh  $  59,099  $  91,139 55  $  994,563.35  $ 1,447,408 6.3%
J. Dennis Hastert  $  28,026  $  19,806 55  $  413,518.22  $  772,468 2.6%
Gary G. Dahl  $  24,465  $  49,965 70  $  115,274.13  $  363,819 13.7%