Mark the Calendar. April, Vote for Doug Strand

Doug Strand for Trustee of TRS

You’ll remember that the Illinois Retired Teachers' Association was the legal spearhead in the battle to prevent the stripping of pension benefits under SB1’s argument of financial necessity (aka sovereign powers argument). It was the IRTA that legally held the line and secured the unanimous decision by the Illinois Supreme Court in May of 2015 that the Pension Protection Clause in the Illinois Constitution cannot be ignored.  Cannot be brushed aside out of a state’s sudden needs, especially when the state’s underfunding was causal for the “emergency.”

Now, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association has unanimously endorsed Doug Strand for Trustee of the Teachers Retirement System.  

Here’s some background: 

Mr. Strand holds two Bachelors and one Master’s degree.

He was an accounting intern during his undergraduate years at Luther College with Price Waterhouse in Chicago, Illinois.  

After college, Mr. Strand worked as an account auditor in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

After that experience, Mr. Strand worked as an educator for forty years until his retirement at United Township in East Moline, teaching history, consumer education, and economics.

Mr. Strand served as a member of the East Moline’s Police Pension Board and the East Moline City Council.

Currently, Mr. Strand serves as Vice President of the Blackhawk College Board of Trustees.

Mr. Strand also sat on the Board of the Service Plus Credit Union, a credit union founded by educators of East Moline High School.  

And the IRTA, a stalwart and resolute defender of retirees’ pension benefits, has selected this individual to steward and protect our funds and benefits. That’s more than a significant reason to vote, and make sure to vote for Mr. Strand.  

But you should listen to Mr. Strand himself.  You’ll see what the IRTA liked too.

Remember to Vote!