The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), in its 75th year of service, welcomes a new board member with the election of Trudy Williams of Canton as an employee trustee. Three board members were re-elected: Employee Trustee John Piechocinski of Plainfield, Annuitant Trustee Sharon U. Thompson of Dixon and Executive Trustee Gwen Henry of Wheaton. The reconstituted board met for the first time on Friday, February 26.
"This year's board of trustees brings tremendous experience and expertise and a passion to protect the retirement benefits of our members and retirees." - Executive Director Louis W. Kosiba.
The board's appointed leadership for 2016 includes Board President Tom Kuehne of Arlington Heights, Board Vice President Sue Stanish of Naperville and Board Secretary Natalie Copper of Evanston.
Members of IMRF's governing body are elected, not appointed, and serve without compensation. Serving in five-year staggered terms, the eight-member board includes four executive trustees elected by participating units of government, three employee trustees elected by IMRF members who are active in the workforce and one annuitant trustee elected by IMRF retirees.
New employee trustee from Canton elected
After working as an administrative assistant for the Fulton County State's Attorney's Office since 1995, Trudy Williams is excited to support the achievement of IMRF's mission and vision as she enters her first term as an employee trustee.
"Public service has been a part of my life for more than 20 years, and being elected to IMRF's board of trustees is an extension of that service," Williams said. "What an honor to work with other trustees for the future of our colleagues."
A member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 Executive Board, she served as the Fulton County AFSCME president for almost 15 years. Williams also worked in the Fulton County Circuit Court's Office from 1993 to 1995.
"I look forward to this opportunity, both professionally and personally, because it means so much to so many hardworking people across Illinois," she said. "My goal as a trustee is to make sure that, in exchange for our years of dedicated service, the promise of a secure retirement is kept."
Employee trustee from Plainfield re-elected
John Piechocinski of Plainfield has proudly served as head custodian for the Plainfield Community Consolidated School District since 1986 and returns to the board for his second term as employee trustee. He has served on the board since 2011 and has worked with the school district since 1976.
"I am very honored to be re-elected as an IMRF trustee," Piechocinski said. "As a trustee, I will continue to work on behalf of the members so that we can continue to maintain a secure and quality pension."
Annuitant trustee from Dixon re-elected
A former president, vice president and secretary of the IMRF board of trustees, Sharon U. Thompson was re-elected to serve as annuitant trustee. She has been an annuitant trustee for 15 years and chairs IMRF's legislative committee. Thompson served as Lee County treasurer from 1974 to 1994.
"As a trustee, my goal is to work for 100 percent funding status while stressing cautious investing, keeping abreast of legislation and preserving the defined benefit plan," Thompson said. "As someone who fought to keep the 13th payment, I work tirelessly for the benefit of retirees – both present and future."
Wheaton's Henry re-elected as executive trustee
Henry, who previously served as president and vice president of the IMRF board of trustees, ran unopposed and was certified as the winner of the executive trustee election. She has served on the board since 2008 and is the DuPage County treasurer.
"I am pleased to have the support of the IMRF employers and look forward to continuing to work to maintain a healthy IMRF to benefit the members," Henry said.
As the second-largest and best-funded statewide public pension, IMRF administers a defined benefit plan of retirement, disability and death benefits for nearly 3,000 municipal employers. IMRF has $34.7 billion in assets and is 93.1 percent funded on a market basis. IMRF is neither funded nor managed by the state.
"This year's board of trustees brings tremendous experience and expertise and a passion to protect the retirement benefits of our members and retirees," said IMRF Executive Director Louis W. Kosiba. "They come from all walks of life, from all across the state and are a great reflection of our total membership. We look forward to working with these dynamic leaders – chosen by their peers – to continue to enhance our plan's financial stability and long-term sustainability."
