By Steve Gunn
EAGnews.org

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – When teachers unions take a position on any issue, citizens should take a big whiff.

Chances are they will quickly detect the unmistakable odor of greed.

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Most of the unions’ official opinions are based on the desire to gain as much money as possible for their oldest active members at any given moment, regardless of what it might cost the community, state or nation.

That’s why we weren’t surprised to hear that the Illinois Federation of Teachers is calling for the resignation of Richard Ingram, the executive director of the state pension system for suburban and downstate teachers.

It seems Ingram had the gall to suggest that the state reduce cost-of-living increases for retirees living on public school pensions. He noted that the system is already heading for the financial rocks, and further cost-of-living increases will jeopardize its continued existence.

“People have to understand that we have an equal obligation to our 25-year-old members as we do to our 85-year-old members,” Ingram was quoted as saying by Illinois Public Media News.

That’s obviously not what union leaders were hoping to hear. If the pension system needs more money, they believe there should be higher taxes or some other way to gain more revenue to prop it up. No teachers, current or retired, should have to sacrifice anything to guarantee the long-term solvency of the pension system, they say.

If Ingram thinks otherwise, they say he should resign.

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“When (Ingram) comes forward and says the only way to do it is this, he is leaving the realm of being the executive director of TRS and entering – I don’t know – something maybe the legislature would advocate,” said Dan Montgomery, president of the IFT.

So the head of a pension system is somehow overstepping his bounds by suggesting how the pension system can save itself from bankruptcy. We doubt very much that Montgomery really believes such nonsense.

If Ingram had suggested that pensions for current and soon-to-be retirees should be doubled, and a special state tax should be created to pay for it, Montgomery probably would have sent him a dozen roses.

But Ingram chose to speak honestly and responsibly, instead of parroting the union line. That’s why the unions want his head on the platter.

We believe this story is a perfect example of why nobody should listen to the unions regarding financial or educational matters. They only speak with their own wallets in mind.