A bill introduced by State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) that makes changes to teacher pensions passed the Senate’s Government Accountability and Pensions Committee this week. Under current law, a retired teacher may not be re-hired for more than 100 days per year or their pension payments will be suspended. Senate Bill 1584 extends that to 120 days per year and prohibits the cancellation of pension payments to the retiree. “This bill allows retired teachers – experts in their field – to return to schools as substitute teachers without forfeiting their pensions,” said Aquino. “Our state has one of the worst teacher shortages in the country, and this bill offers a solution.” Senate Bill 1584 now goes before the entire Senate for a vote.