North Cook News

Katy Dolan Baumer wants to put an end to Illinois school districts raising teachers' salaries at the end of their careers even as the pension system is in a crisis that is endangering their retirement benefits.

"I support good teachers and longevity on a job, but think that the objective of education is to prepare our children for a bright future," Baumer told the North Cook News. "I do not think we should be pandering to unions in fear that we may not have enough teachers, or that younger teachers will not stay because the pension will not make them rich for life."

Baumer, who is running for the 44th House District against incumbent Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates), believes that giving pay increases to teachers when it is clear that taxpayers will be paying the difference is unfair to taxpayers and speaks to a larger societal problem.

Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates),

"While I do not think and hope that the school districts are doing this to enrich a few, I do believe that that is the result," she said. "It is shameful for those giving the increases knowing that someone will have to eventually fund it -- sticking it to the taxpayers, again. This is one aspect of pension reform that would impact schools, funding pensions, children, and education."

While taxpayers may understand the value of teachers, there is a great difference between understanding that value and pandering to the misuse of funding that politicians are supporting.

"Taxpayers in general, in District 44, do not begrudge the teachers themselves," Baumer said. "They understand that it is rough out there today for educators. Further, they understand that pensions are out of whack, and that those same children that are in school today, being instructed by the very same teachers who will be receiving a pension upon retirement, will be stuck paying that pension - ad infinitum."

The 44th House District covers Hoffman Estates and Streamwood.