The Illinois Education Association responds to threats to the fully funding of retired teacher healthcare: Don't worry. Be happy.

Responding to the threat to the fully funding of retired teacher healthcare benefits and the lawsuit by the Illinois Retired Teachers Association (see previous posts) the states’ largest teacher union sent an email out to retirees today.

Essentially they said, “Don’t worry. Be happy.”

Here is the full statement:

Yesterday, an email was circulated that references the filing of a lawsuit to address the recent contribution changes to the Teachers’ Health Insurance Security (THIS) Fund, a fund that supports the Teachers’ Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP/TRAIL).

It is the position of the Illinois Education Association (IEA) that we will do whatever is necessary to maintain the health insurance benefits provided by TRIP/TRAIL. The General Assembly has the ultimate responsibility to fully fund this program and the IEA will continue to ensure the legislature meets its financial obligation to properly and adequately fund the program that provides retirement security for all our members, current or future retirees.
  
The IEA believes that the Illinois constitutional protections do extend to the provision of health insurance benefits, like the TRIP/TRAIL insurance program. We want to assure our members there should be no concern about their health insurance benefits being diminished or impaired. Additionally, the IEA will continue to monitor the lawsuit and its progress.

What do the IEA leaders mean when they say members should not be concerned?

Of course we’re concerned.

And why aren’t they joining in on the lawsuit?

What do they mean they will “monitor” it?

Do they mean they will do what they usually do?

Stand on the sidelines.