The UIC Chapter of SUAA Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting April 30, 2009

Members Present: Marsha Borders, Charles Brown, Judy Curry, Merrill Gassman, Carol Humble, Richard Johnson, James Jones, Rose Kirk, Lawrence Poston, Leonard Ramirez, Charles Stanislao, and William Troyer

Members Absent: Irving Miller and Sue Sindelar

The meeting was called to order by President Merrill Gassman at 10:30am in Room 123 of the Physical Plant Building.

1. Approval of Minutes: The Minutes of the March 19, 2009 Board meeting were approved.

2. President's Report (Merrill Gassman):

• Nine UIC representatives attended a workshop for the Northern Illinois SUAA Chapters at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn on Friday, April 24, 2009
• At the meeting, SUAA lobbyist Richard Lockhart recommended that SUAA chapters be more aggressive in advocating for the interests of retirees.
• Mitchell Vogel, outgoing president of the SURS Board of Trustees, discussed changes in board structure. On April 3, 2009, Governor Quinn signed Public Act 96-0006 into law. This legislation eliminates the current governor-appointed Board of Trustees of SURS. The new board will consist of 11 trustees: four appointed by the governor, four contributing members elected by the contributing members of the system, and two annuitants elected by the annuitants of the system. Of the four contributing members, no more than two may be from any of the U of I campuses. Of the two annuitant members, no more than one may be from any of the U of I campuses. The president of the SURS Board of Trustees will be the chairperson of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
• Chuck Stanislao and Rose Kirk attended a meeting held on campus April 28th with APAC (Academic Professionals Advisory Committee). That committee suggested that two candidates be nominated from UIC for positions on the SURS board. Candidate names are being circulated. Merrill will contact Jacquie Berger to discuss APAC candidates.
• Merrill urged directors to review the changes that appear in the new Benefits Choice publication - particularly those for QCHP - increases in co-pays and premiums, increases in dental, etc.
• Merrill circulated talking points distributed by Nick Panos (WIU) encouraging SUAA legislative advocacy.
• Merrill raised the concern of low turnout at the April 16 Spring membership meeting.
  

2. Treasurer's Report (Chuck Stanislao): Chuck reported total assets of $33,369 as follows:

The Board tentatively agreed to renew the CD for one year at its June expiration.

3. Legislation/SUAACTION Report (Bill Troyer and Richard Johnson): . Bill distributed a map of legislative districts in Northeastern Illinois and Cook County and urged directors to make direct contact with their representatives to advocate for retiree issues. Dick noted that legislation regarding potential changes affecting annuitants has not yet been introduced. However, SUAA should be prepared to act quickly when the formal budget is announced - probably on May 8. Dick urged that we support SJRCA0038 which proposes to amend the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution. It would remove a provision that provides that a tax on income shall be measured at a non-graduated rate.

The Board talked at length about whether and/or how to respond to Governor Quinn's proposed FY2010 budget. The SUAA central office has drafted a flier that UIC UNITED agreed to send, with slight modifications, to UIC active employees and to retirees. Rose Kirk agreed to draft and circulate versions suited to the two audiences. Carol will talk with the central office to inquire about the office funding a UIC mailing. Judy will contact the mailroom to determine whether there is any concern about using campus mail and/or the mailroom to distribute literature opposing the governor's budget. Merrill will contact the Computer Center to learn whether we can distribute emails via individual listservs.

4. Program Report (Carol Humble and Rose Kirk): Carol and Rose reported that the Spring membership meeting went well - the speaker was well received --- despite low attendance. Carol asked for suggestions for next year's programs. Programs held off-campus at sites with free parking and less expensive food might increase attendance. The Annual Retirement Planning Conference is Saturday, May 30 in the Chicago Rooms of SCW.

5. Newsletter Report (Larry Poston and Judy Curry): Larry and Judy reported that the Spring newsletter is expected to be mailed in late May or early June. Fast-breaking Illinois news does not lend itself to inclusion in a newsletter although the upcoming issue will contain references to the proposed Quinn budget and recent changes in SURS board structure. Also included will be reference to the Social Security Fairness Act of 2009, a bill to amend Title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions.

6. Nominating Committee: No report

7. Old Business: Irv, Merrill and Dick Johnson met on March 30 with the new chancellor. She seemed willing to follow up with the university president to enable UIC UNITED to include dues-deduct in regular payrolls.

8. New Business: None

The meeting was adjourned at 12:00pm.

Respectfully submitted by Judy Curry, Acting Secretary

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