My name is Mario Smaldino and I am a retiree for approximately five and a half years from the Illinois Department of Transportations Emergency Patrol.  Last week around February 14, 2007, the Chicago Sun Times printed an article stating how disturbingly under funded the pension system of Illinois is to the tune of $41 billion.  It seems to me that the Teamster Local 726 leadership would be alarmed and not just give this matter a slight notice.  This issued has to be addressed with intestinal fortitude and that is why we most desperately need a new direction for our Teamster Local 726 Union like, “The Fighting For the Future Slate.” They have already raised the alarm to the extent of this problem and not act like the Present Leadership and pretend everything will be all right.  The AFSCME ILLINOIS RETIREES CHAPTER 31 is already addressing the issue for their retirees along with the ISEA/RETIREES.  I just want to reiterate again, it’s time for new leadership and we need leaders that will take care of our members along with its retirees! 

Copied below is the Sun-Times article
to this problem!