We are the local chapter of SUAA, the State Universities Annuitants Association, that represents and speaks for SURS (State Universities Retirement System) participants. SURS provides retirement benefits to retired two-year, four-year, and allied agency employees in Illinois. Our members are retirees, their spouses, and those who are currently employed at John Wood. We represent both part-time and full-time employees.

Public policy for SUAA is developed and implemented democratically through a board of directors selected from each chapter.

State-wide, 52% of SURS participants are professors and teachers. They represent 68 different employers across the state. 48% are support staff. 65% of SURS participants earn $50,000 or less per year. 79% of SURS participants are full-time. 57% work at universities; 35% work at community colleges. 8% work at other institutions such as the state scientific survey organizations. SURS has 72,000 active and 65,000 inactive participants and 40,000 benefit recipients.

Our chapter was begun in 2002. Compared to most of the chapters in Illinois, we are relatively new.

Compared to most other chapters, our membership, based on the number of potential members, is VERY strong. In 2006 – 07, we had the second highest membership percentage in the state. At 106.7% our membership represents more active members than retired SURS recipients. (Only Heartland, at 144.3%, surpassed John Wood.)

In 2006 – 07 our membership is 64. We hold meetings two times a year; the dates of this year’s meetings are May 5 and October 29, 2006. Representatives from our chapter attended the state meetings which included an annual meeting in Springfield (June 14-15, 2006) and a SURS Board meeting in Urbana (October 17, 2006).