Although it considered impolite and politically incorrect to mention, among the greatest drains to our school budgets throughout the state of IL are the educators� retirement benefit packages.
Teachers and administrators retire with 75% (K-12) or 80% (cc & U level) of last three years average income plus increases until they and their spouse die. In comparison, I believe 30% of end of career income is the average for US workers who are lucky enough to receive a pension.
Most people here do not quibble about the yearly 2% teacher pay increases (in addition to frequent step increases) and agree the average teacher salary seems strong, but reasonable (and the average administrator salary is too high). However, many people are completely unaware of the uncommonly generous pensions and health care plans, which directly translate to program cuts.
Since the teachers� union scored these rewards and as more and more educators are joining the retired ranks, there is less and less money to maintain current teacher levels or to put towards the students� other educational needs- despite higher and higher property taxes.
