Sometimes, when dedicated people work long enough and hard enough, you can actually solve difficult problems.

The recent action by the Illinois General Assembly regarding the consolidation of downstate Illinois police pension systems is a good example. The original legislation was flawed and could have weakened local pension fund control and retirement security for Illinois’ active and retired law enforcement officers. Law enforcement support group organizations and unions sprang into action and tirelessly worked to make lawmakers aware of the perils contained in the initial proposal.

Lawmakers from both parties and Gov. J.B.  Pritzker’s office took police officers’ concerns to heart and put in a lot of hard work in a short period of time to get the final bill right. This administration addressed the root cause of the pension dilemma rather then resorting to the old so-called “remedy” of simply cutting benefits. The end result will benefit taxpayers and officers alike.

We realize this is the beginning, not the end, of the pension journey. It starts the process of fixing the system, and we look forward to further dialog about correcting the unfair Tier 2 pension benefit formula and lowering administrative costs.

Tim Kobler, board chairman of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council