The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

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June 3, 2009

Firefighter to benefit from pension bill

BY JENNIFER BAILEY

DANVILLE — Retired firefighter Hank Shouse’s efforts to see fair pension treatment for himself, his brother Jack and another comrade saw one small step forward as a bill awaits Gov. Pat Quinn’s signature.

The pension bill only includes Jack, however, unless there are other Senate changes.

The bill amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code.

It provides that in July 2009, the monthly pension of a firefighter who retired before Jan. 1, 1977, shall be recalculated and increased to reflect the amount that the firefighter would have received in July 2009 had the firefighter been receiving a 3 percent compounded cost-of-living pension increase for each year he or she received pension payments after Jan. 1, 1986, plus any increases in pension received for each year prior to Jan. 1, 1986.

In each January thereafter, it provides that the retiree shall receive an additional increase of 3 percent of the amount of the pension then being paid.

Jack, 84, retired on Jan. 14, 1976. Hank, 87, retired on July 14, 1977.

Hank has been fighting on their behalf, and for two other retired Danville firefighters (Bill Jefferies and Don Walker), for pension benefits. Walker recently passed away.

Older retirees were excluded from a pension law change, a 3 percent Compound Bill that passed more than 20 years ago.

Hank said as Mayor Scott Eisenhauer has said, they are not trying to raise their pensions.

“I’m just trying to get what they messed me out of … They owe me $42,000,” he said.

“I’m not asking for back pay,” he added. “This is my last go around.”

Hank Shouse said the bill still will leave out around 100 retired firefighters in the state.

Hank has worked with state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, for more than three years on the issue; but in total has been fighting for fair treatment since the pension law change went into effect in the 1980s. At that time, 10 affected retirees were living.

Shouse said the older retirees are 20 years behind in benefits.

Hank’s current monthly pension is about $1,500. If it was compounded, it would be about $1,800 a month.

Eisenhauer said he’s not sure yet on the exact financial impact the bill would have on the city.

“It’s just more legislation that impacts the pension …,” he said.

“We certainly should not be increasing the benefits since their retirement,” he added.

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