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HB 5134

PEN CD-SURS-PARTICIPANT DATA

104th Regular Session Introduced by Stephanie Kifowit

The bill reorganizes the SURS Board governance with elected employee and annuitant trustees, sets term lengths, and tightens election processes and labor-organization representatio

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Pension Note Filed as Amended
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Bill Summary · HB 5134

Summary of HB 5134 (104th Illinois General Assembly)

Overview

  • Bill: HB 5134
  • Session: 104th
  • Jurisdiction: Illinois
  • Title: PEN CD-SURS-PARTICIPANT DATA
  • Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit (co-sponsor listed)
  • Filed: April 9, 2026
  • Primary subject: Amendments to the Illinois Pension Code governing the composition, appointment, election, and operations of the Board of Trustees for the State Universities Retirement System (SURS).

This bill appears as an amendment to Section 15-159 of the Illinois Pension Code, reorganizing and clarifying the Board of Trustees for the SURS, including governance structure, election procedures for participating employees and annuitants, term lengths, and ethics/oath requirements.

Key Provisions and Changes

  1. Board Composition (Section 15-159, subsections (d) and (e))

    • The Board of Trustees of the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) is established with a defined mix:
      • (1) The Chairperson of the Board of Higher Education (BH) serves on the board.
      • (2) Seven four appointed trustees by the Governor with Senate consent; cannot be SURS members or hold elective state office; 6-year terms (initial terms adjusted for transition).
      • (3) Five four participating employees elected by contributing members; 6-year terms. Up to 2 may be from any single University of Illinois campus.
      • (3.5) One participating employee who is a community college employee elected by contributing members; 6-year term.
      • (4) Three two annuitants elected by annuitants; 6-year terms. Up to one may be from any single University of Illinois campus.
    • Chairperson on the Board is appointed by the Governor from among the trustees, with nomination/confirmation timing described.

  2. Term Details and Transitions

    • Provisions for initial appointees and initial electees specify staggered terms (3-year and 6-year terms) to ensure continuity.
    • Trustees’ terms begin on specific dates (e.g., July 15 following election; elections typically held May 1 or May 2 if May 1 falls on a Sunday).
    • Vacancies on the board are filled for the unexpired term by the Governor.

  3. Election Procedures for Trustees (Subsection (e))

    • Elections of elected trustees occur within specified windows (90 days after effective dates in related acts).
    • Nomination by petitions:
      • Participating trustees: petitions signed by at least 400 participants.
      • Annuitant trustees: petitions signed by at least 100 annuitants.
      • Petitions must be notarized and submitted in paper form.
    • If multiple qualified nominees exist for a seat, ballots are conducted by secret mail ballot; if only one qualified nominee, they are declared elected.
    • Rules may permit internet or phone balloting as an alternative or addition to mail voting.

  4. Labor Organization Restriction (Subsection (e-5))

    • Beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, no more than 4 of the 6 participating/trustee seats (from the categories specified in (3) and (3.5)) may be active members of the same statewide labor organization.
    • Definition of “statewide labor organization” includes organizations with non-geographic membership and at least 3,500 SURS participants.

  5. Removal, Vacancies, and Reappointment (Subsections (f) and (g))

    • Vacancies in appointed trustees are filled by the Governor for the remainder of the unexpired term.
    • Trustees serve until successors are qualified, with specific disqualification rules for active participating employees or annuitants who lose status.

  6. Oath and Compensation (Subsection (h))

    • Trustees must take an oath before a notary public, affirming duties and adherence to the Pension Code.
    • Trustees serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred attending meetings or performing duties.

Who Is Affected

  • State Universities Retirement System (SURS) operations and governance.
  • Members who are participating employees (university employees contributing to SURS).
  • Annuity recipients (annuitants) drawing or eligible for SURS benefits.
  • University of Illinois campuses (due to the cap allowing up to two trustees from a single campus in the participating employee and annuitant categories).
  • State government entities involved in higher education governance (Governor, Senate for confirmations, BH Board).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Elections for elected trustees are scheduled and governed by timelines tied to the effective dates of related acts (e.g., 90-day windows, specific dates like May 1 or May 2 for elections).
  • Petitions must be submitted in paper form with notarization; alternative voting methods (internet/phone) may be adopted by board rules.
  • The amendment contains transitional provisions for initial terms (3-year vs. 6-year) to facilitate staggered appointments and continuity.
  • The Governor appoints the chairperson and two or more positions; the Senate provides advice and consent for appointments.

Practical Impacts

  • Potentially broader or more structured representation on the SURS Board (participating employees and annuitants gain formal, elected representation with defined term lengths).
  • Possible alignment of board composition with labor organization considerations to ensure governance diversity without over-concentration from a single statewide union.
  • Clear procedural rules for elections may affect how members nominate and vote for trustees, emphasizing paper petitions and ballot processes, with flexibility for alternative voting modes.
  • Changes could influence how benefits administration and investment oversight are conducted, given the governance shifts and appointment processes.

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

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