From Illinois Policy:
Many school districts cover teachers’ required pension contribution of 9% of their salary — putting that burden on taxpayers
By LyLena Estabine
By law, public school teachers in Illinois must contribute 9% of their salaries toward their pensions with the Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System. But many school districts pay part or all of that as an employee benefit.
In some districts the amount extends up to 10.4% of salary, covering the required employee contribution to the Teacher Health Insurance Security Fund.
This practice, known as a “pension pickup,” further strains local budgets and drives up property taxes.
Here’s the information for McHenry County school districts with the percentages paid:
Pension pickups are a legacy of contract negotiations going back decades. Initially a rare perk, they’ve become a standard practice. Today the majority of Illinois school districts cover some or all of their teachers’ pension contributions, and the number has increased from the 2024 school year, according to state data.
High and Unit School Districts
Johnsburg School District 12 – 9%
Alden-Hebron School District 19 – 9.9%
Harvard Comm. Unit School District 50 – 9.9%
Marengo Comm. High School District 154 – 0%
Community High School District 155 – 4.7%
McHenry High School District 156 – 0%
Richmond-Burton Comm. High School District 157 – 10.4%
Huntley Community School District 158 – 9.9%
Woodstock Comm. Unit School District 200 – 8%
Wauconda CUSD 118 – 0%
Barrington CUSD 220 – 0%
Community Unit School District 300 – 10.4%
Grade School Districts:
Cary 25 – 4.5%
Crystal Lake 47 – 3%
Fox River Grove 3 – 9.9%
Harrison (Wonder Lake) – 36% – 4.5%
Marengo 165 – 0%
McHenry 15 – 0%
Nippersink (Richmond-Burton) 2 – 10.45
Riley 18 – 9.9%
