August 20, 2021

To the Honorable Members of

The Illinois House of Representatives,

102nd General Assembly:

Today I veto House Bill 1966 from the 102^nd General Assembly, which extends the application deadline for a member of the Teachers’ Retirement System at a private school recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education to establish optional credit for up to two years of service as a teacher or administrator employed by a private school.

I support the intent of this legislation and I am pleased to sign Senate Bill 1646, a similar bill with more expansive provisions.  However, SB 1646 conflicts with HB 1966. HB 1966 allows members of the Teachers’ Retirement System to apply for the credit until June 30, 2022, while SB 1646 allows members to apply until June 30, 2023. Additionally, SB 1646 includes a provision that HB 1966 omits that ensures teachers are not penalized for the increased salaries they earn as a result of teaching additional summer school offerings that districts are providing to address the learning loss resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result of the discrepancies between these two bills, I must veto HB1966. I look forward to implementing the provisions of SB1646.

Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 1966, entitled “Pensions CD-TRS-Private School,” with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.

Sincerely,

Governor JB Pritzker