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Teachers’ Retirement System actively confronts and corrects errors of fact concerning the pensions of teachers and public employees that are found in the media. Incorrect facts and statistics can lead to uncertainty on the part of TRS members. Misinformation can fuel mistrust and opposition to public pensions. By correcting errors and misstatements and not taking a position on public issues and controversies, TRS hopes to elevate the level of debate and make sure all opinions have the correct and most current information.

The following menu, broken down by media outlet, is a sampling of the letters and emails that TRS has submitted to the media in Illinois and across the country in its effort to correct the record.

Letters to the Editor (All in PDF format)

All Print Media (4 Letters)
Topics covered: pension system finances, constitutional protections for pensions, “too generous” teacher pensions

Alton Telegraph (1 Letter)
Topics covered: pension system finances

Baltimore Sun (1 Letter)
Topics covered: pension system finances

Belleville News-Democrat (1 Letter)
Topics covered: The need for an independent audit of Illinois pension system finances

Bloomington The Pantagraph (1 Letter)
Topics covered: pension system finances, “too generous” teacher pensions

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette (1 Letter)
Topics covered: pension system finances; constitutional protections for pensions

Chicago Tribune (11 Letters)
Topics covered: pension system finances; constitutional protections for pensions, “too generous” teacher pensions

Chicago Sun-Times (1 Letter)
Topic covered: pension system finances

Crain's Chicago Business (4 Letters)
Topics covered: pension system finances

Daily Herald (4 Letters)
Topics covered: pension system finances; constitutional protections for pensions, investment returns, “too generous” teacher salaries

Dekalb Daily Chronicle (1 Letter)
Topic covered: pension system finances, constitutional protections for pensions, investment returns, “too generous” teacher salaries)

Decatur Herald & Review (2 Letters)
Topics covered: pension system finances, “too generous” teacher pensions

Edwardsville Intelligencer (1 Letter)
Topics covered: The need for an independent audit of Illinois pension systems; pension finances

Illinois Issues (1 Letter)
Topic covered: The pension protection clause of the Illinois Constitution

Illinois Times (2 Letters)
Topics covered: pension system finances, the need for an independent audit of Illinois pension systems

Jacksonville Journal-Courier (1 Letter)
Topics covered: pension system finances

Moline The Dispatch/The Rock Island Argus (1 Letter)
Topics covered: constitutional protections for pensions, “too generous” teacher pensions

Northwest Herald (1 Letter)
Topics covered: pension system finances

Peoria Journal-Star (2 Letters)
Topics covered: pension system finances, investment returns, “too generous” teacher salaries

Rockford Register Star (5 Letters)
Topics covered: pension system finances, “too generous” teacher salaries

Southtown Star (5 Letters)
Topics covered: pension system finances, constitutional protections for pensions, investment returns, “too generous” teacher salaries

Springfield State Journal-Register (6 Letters)
Topics covered: pension system finances, constitutional protections for pensions, investment returns, “too generous” teacher salaries

Taylorville Breeze Courier (1 Letter)
Topics covered: Teacher contributions to TRS

Wall Street Journal (5 Letters)
Topics covered: pension system finances, constitutional protections for pensions, investment returns, “too generous” teacher salaries

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