Letters: Don’t blame charter schools for pension fund snafu

In a recent editorial (“Late-paying charter schools fail civics lesson, ” Nov. 28), the Sun-Times Editorial Board suggested that, based on a recent report, the Noble Network of Charter Schools is somehow shirking its civic responsibilities to the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund. This is untrue.

The report fails to mention that virtually every sizable fine assessed to Noble originates from a four-month span of CTPF computer maintenance in 2014, during which the system was fully inaccessible to Noble. This technical stoppage and Noble’s loss of access was conducted entirely at CTPF’s discretion. Our two organizations worked closely during this period, and at no time was there an indication that Noble would be fined for contributions related to their computer maintenance. However, fines on these contributions were assessed without warning in early 2016, and we immediately appealed to the CTPF board.

As with many pension funds across Illinois, the CTPF suffers due to historical underfunding and stifling bureaucracy far beyond the control of any public charter school. To suggest that Noble in some way dodges its pension responsibilities is to deliberately ignore Illinois’ long tradition of pension fund troubles, and instead place blame on those trying to responsibly navigate an onerous, ailing system. Since the resolution of the CTPF’s technical system errors, Noble has maintained over 98 percent contribution compliance to the fund and will continue to do so.

Michael Milkie, superintendent,

Noble Network of Charter Schools

Great pride

President Barack Obama and his administration should take great pride in having rescued a January 2009 economy in free fall and, over eight years, having nurtured a strong, more diversified, and growing economy. A President Clinton might well have been more of the same success. Anything she might have done will be far better than once again trying failed Republican economic policies, that is, tax cuts for those at the top and top-down rather than bottom-up growth in demand. Our nation doesn’t deserve to go down that wrong-headed Republican road again!

Mary F. Warren, Wheaton

Second thoughts

As an Illinois Con-Con delegate who voted for the right of public employees to organize and collectively bargain over wages, benefits and conditions of employment, and voted for the constitutional protection of public pensions against impairment or diminishment, I have second thoughts. Too often, politicians leading schools and governmental units lack judgment, discipline and vision, ignoring actuarial realities and benefiting politically for purse-book irresponsibility.

Take that irresponsibility with the apparent inability of such units in Illinois to declare bankruptcy makes public employee pensions payable for life in Illinois, a bright spot for pensioners but a financial black hole for taxpayers.

James E. Gierach, Palos Park

Got it right

State Sen. Christine Radogno got it right, the problem in Springfield is due to the outrageous stall tactics employed by Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Republican legislators who constantly blame others for their own actions.

We all know House Speaker Michael Madigan is no angel and certainly part of the problem, but Illinoisans are not stupid. We see and know the real problem is with Rauner and Radogno and Jim Durkin, who blindly follow Rauner’s instructions. How ironic that Rauner claims Democratic legislators fear Madigan when all this time it’s the Republican legislators who fear Rauner’s millions and disfavor if they don’t do want he wants.

Rauner’s “Wreck-a-round” agenda is what he wants to force down our throat, an agenda that will benefit him and his 1 percent gang while hurting the state, the poor, elderly, vets, students, etc.

Ann Gutierrez, Tinley Park

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