ROMEOVILLE – Will County residents are invited to attend an informational seminar on Teacher Retirement System benefits.

Bertino-Tarrant is hosting this free event on Tuesday, Feb. 11 starting 4:15 p.m. at John J. Lukancic Middle School Auditorium (725 Normantown Rd., Romeoville).

The presentation will be given by TRS Outreach Coordinator, Sandie Benhart.

The following topics will be covered:

• Factors utilized to determine pension amounts
• Ways to supplement pensions with a self-funded plan
• Legislative actions that could affect retirement
• How pursuing multiple careers rather than education-only careers may impact your pension

The event is applicable to all those enrolled in a TRS pension.

For more information, Bertino-Tarrant urges residents to contact her office at (815) 254-4211 or visit www.SenatorBertinoTarrant.com with any questions or concerns.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois students may soon be equipped with the skills to tackle real-life financial issues, thanks to State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.

Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) introduced Senate Bill 2474, which will allow students to take a financial literacy class as a math requirement for high school graduation.

“Our schools need to ensure students are not only able to excel academically, but also have the life skills to be successful as adults, “Bertino-Tarrant said. “Balancing checkbooks, calculating income taxes and understanding bank statements are vital life skills that we should want our young people to have. Our students need to be equipped with the knowledge to manage their money effectively.”

Senate Bill 2474 allows that one year, or a semester, of a financial literacy course may count toward the math requirement to graduate high school.

A report released by AIG Retirement Services found that students’ low financial literacy levels result from little to no fiscal education within the K-12 school system.

They also found 36% of participants already have more than $1,000 in credit card debt. And many students do not have enough money to pay off their debts or are not fully aware of the consequences of leaving bills unpaid.

“As we tackle rising tuition costs and fees, we must ensure our students have the financial sense to understand how money works,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Mathematics is not just about formulas and right angles, we have an opportunity to show students how math applies to their lives as adults.”

Bertino-Tarrant is looking forward to discussions on Senate Bill 2474 this upcoming legislative session

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) was thrilled to hear Gov. JB Pritzker’s plans to increase investments in the state’s education system during the State of the State address on Wednesday.

“The most important investment we can make is in our children’s education,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Increasing investments in child care and early childhood education will ensure that we are providing the best resources to help train the future leaders of our great state.”

The governor plans to build upon the historic investments that Bertino-Tarrant has supported to ensure schools are properly funded throughout the state.

In response to the governor’s emphasis on ethics reforms, Bertino-Tarrant agrees changes need to happen in Springfield to restore the public’s trust in elected officials.

“I work hard, and I’m dedicated to the people of Will County,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “The bad actors continue to make the rest of us look bad. I look forward to seeing the recommendations made by the bipartisan, bicameral ethics commission and am committed to supporting meaningful ethics reforms.”

The governor’s budget address is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) is applauding the state’s commitment to better address racial disparities in responding to the opioid crisis by establishing the Governor’s Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee.

Illinois is also dedicating $4.1 million state dollars to expand recovery and prevention services for individuals with opioid use disorder.

“I applaud Gov. JB Pritzker’s efforts to help end the opioid crisis that has plagued communities throughout Illinois,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “The $4.1 million investment will help increase the state’s investments in communities that need them the most and help create a comprehensive plan to fight the opioid crisis.”

Pritzker’s executive order also focuses on harm reduction strategies that promote safer use of opioids to save lives. These strategies will help reduce both the risks of infectious HIV, HCV and Hepatitis A and fatal overdoses. The plan includes supervised consumption sites, where individuals with opioid use disorder are under the supervision of trained staff with the goal of ensuring the safety of both the individual and the general public.

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