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HB 3122

PEN CD-GARS-NO NEW GA MEMBERS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Blaine Wilhour

Illinois bill closes CD-GARS pension reciprocal system to new members, restricting employee pension portability across government agencies while grandfathering existing participants.

Referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 3122

Legislative bill overview

HB 3122 proposes to prohibit new members from joining the Pension Contribution Group - Government Account Reciprocal System (CD-GARS) in Illinois. The bill would effectively close this pension reciprocal system to future enrollments while maintaining benefits for existing members. This represents a significant policy shift in how Illinois manages reciprocal pension arrangements across government entities.

Why is this important

Reciprocal pension systems like CD-GARS allow government employees who move between participating employers to maintain continuous pension credit without losing service time. Closing enrollment affects workforce mobility for public employees and could impact recruitment and retention at participating agencies. The decision also reflects broader concerns about pension liabilities and funding obligations in Illinois, which has historically faced significant unfunded pension debt.

Potential points of contention

  • Existing member protections vs. new restrictions: The bill grandfathers current members but denies benefits to future government employees, raising fairness questions about equal treatment
  • Workforce mobility impacts: Blocking new enrollment may make it harder for employees to transfer between government agencies without pension penalties, potentially reducing system efficiency
  • Pension liability management: The rationale likely centers on controlling long-term unfunded liabilities, but opponents may argue this shifts costs to individuals rather than addressing systemic funding issues

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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