Each time they receive their paycheck, the teachers of Illinois contribute 9.4 percent of their pay toward their pensions.

And it turns out that for years the state of Illinois has somehow found a way to neglect paying its portion of the pension. The results of Illinois’ neglect is a $96 billion unfunded pension liability. How are politicians proposing to fix this problem? There is proposed legislation that will result in boosts to the teacher’s contributions to their pensions, raise the retirement age and limit the cost-of-living adjustments for retirees or have teachers receive less healthcare benefits.

Translation: “We’re sorry that we have neglected to properly take care of our teachers, so here, we’ll have the teachers give us more money and work until they are around 67 years old or so. Maybe that can possibly fix this issue that you’re facing. But then again, maybe not. Oh and hey, if you don’t agree to the cost of living adjustments you give up your health benefits.” But don’t worry, government officials of Illinois; I’m sure your pensions remain safe and secure.

“I find it a joke,” said Gulsat Aygen, an associate professor of linguistics. “They should find means to support our pensions versus putting it on us because we are already underpaid.”

Luckily for the future of Illinois’ education system, there are at least a couple future teachers who aren’t allowing the changes to the pension plan to affect their decision to become a teacher.

“The pension plans make me nervous,” said Ansley Wells, freshman elementary education major. “But it won’t stop me from helping kids.”

I find this to be a disgusting form of government ignorance as well as a blatant abuse of power and proof some of the most important people in our workforce are being pushed aside. Without teachers, where would anyone with a profession come from? There would be no doctors, lawyers, politicians–no one. It’s pathetic proof of our state government’s lack of values.

These issues strike into my heart fear for Illinois’ future. Will future teachers who are working their butts off in school be forced into a seemingly thankless profession where they must pay the consequences of our state’s inability to properly protect their future? Will these issues with the pension plans ultimately result in there being less teachers in the future? Will this result in the few remaining teachers that remain being overworked and underpaid (which could lead to them leaving the profession)? What will we do when there are no more people willing to educate our children?

As a future teacher, I am afraid that when the time comes that I cannot work anymore, I will not be able to support my family without a pension. Government officials are already threatening our social security, which we (surprise, surprise) continue to contribute to. It’s time to wake up, Illinois. Take care of the people who ultimately produce, the people that you seek in order for Illinois to “prosper.”