State Senator Raoul to chair special committee on pensions and state investments

Committee will continue studying ways to address disparities, diversify investments

 

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-13^th) will continue promoting state investment in minority and female-owned businesses as chairperson of the newly organized Special Committee on Public Pensions and State Investments.

Raoul, who served as chairperson of the Senate Pensions and Investments Committee from 2007 to 2012, has convened annual hearings on the inclusion of minority and female business owners and financial services professionals in the state retirement funds’ investment plans.

“I’m excited about continuing this important work of leveling the playing field through a committee focused specifically on how and where the state invests its resources,” Raoul said. “Although the idea for the committee arose out of the diversity hearings, the other committee members and I anticipate considering a variety of issues related to pensions and state investments, as the committee’s name suggests.”

Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) will serve as the committee’s co-chairperson. The other members are Senator James F. Clayborne, Jr. (D-Belleville), Senator Iris Martinez (D-20^th), Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign), Senator Tim Bivins (R-Dixon), Senator Dan Duffy (R-Barrington) and Senator Karen McConnaughay (R-South Elgin).