NIU Today

NIU Vice President of Human Resources is testifying this morning before the Personnel and Pension Committee regarding Senate Bill 512 which would significantly alter the way employee pensions are handled. Cunningham’s testimony, outlining our grave concern about these proposed changes, is below. Personnel and Pensions Committee Written Testimony of Steven D. Cunningham Northern Illinois University...

After much discussion, it appears that lawmakers will this week take up in earnest the issue of changes to the pension system for state employees. Currently, it appears that the language in HB149 is the strategy that lawmakers are looking to as they consider the issue. A quick summary of the three-tiered system under consideration...

NIU President John G. Peters today addressed the NIU Board of Trustees regarding the state of budget negotiations in Springfield, and talk of altering pension and insurance programs for current employees and annuitants. His remarks were summarized in an e-mail to the campus community, which is included below. Dear Colleague, NIU recently concluded testimony before...

Every budget season in Springfield is filled with uncertainty. This one promises to be more confusing than most, however, as lawmakers explore sweeping changes in state pensions while they struggle to balance the books. No doubt, rumors will circulate. People will have questions they want answered. In an effort to provide continuous and updated information, and...

Gov. Quinn laid out his budget plans for Fiscal Year 2012 last Wednesday to mixed reviews. The $35.4 billion in general revenue funds expenditure, $1.7 billion dollars higher than last year, supports no new programs, provides additional headcount for agencies including the Departments of Revenue and Corrections, and provides for the state’s increased payments for health insurance...

Colleagues, Today Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn outlined his state budget proposal for next fiscal year, signaling his spending priorities for Fiscal Year 2012. His speech focused mostly on reduced funding levels and emphasized the importance of restructuring the state’s backlog of unpaid bills by borrowing approximately $8.75 billion to pay off most of the outstanding debt owed...

The latest news regarding pension and budget issues is now available via Twitter feed. “Few topics will be more important to current and former NIU employees this spring than discussions in Springfield that could dramatically alter the way the state administers pensions and health care for both groups,” NIU President John Peters said. Just this...

As work begins in Springfield on the FY2012 budget, the state’s financial well-being is once again a topic of extreme interest. “While the tax hikes approved at the end of the last legislative session will provide some new revenue, and some relief for the state, it is just one of many steps required to restore...