Hirschauer Rejects Taxpayer Funded Pension, Supports Bill to End Legislator Pensions

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As one of her first official acts in office state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, refused a taxpayer funded pension offered to all state legislators. Now she is supporting legislation to prohibit future legislators from enrolling in the General Assembly Retirement System.

“As a working mother, I understand what it means to make ends meet and live within our means. I think government should do the same to ensure that our tax dollars are being spent on our most critical services and not perks for politicians,” said Hirschauer “With the many financial challenges facing our state, families and taxpayers of Illinois should not be funding the retirement of career politicians in Illinois.”

Currently, the state makes annual pension payments for current and former legislators enrolled in the General Assembly Retirement System. Hirschaur is sponsoring House Bill 2428, which would put an end to publicly funded pensions for lawmakers in Illinois by prohibiting newly elected officials from joining the General Assembly Retirement System.

“We need to make sure that people are serving in public office for the right reasons; to help Illinoisans and not to help their own personal bank accounts,” continued Hirschauer “I am committed to making sure we cut wasteful spending in Illinois and also make sure that my constituents know I am here to work for them, not for my own personal benefit.”