Climate Safe Pension Funds for Illinois!We are calling on YOU to reach out to your legislators and ask them to support the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act. It is time for Illinois to align our pension investments with our commitment to decarbonize our state through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. Why? Because Illinois pension funds are invested in fossil fuel companies. These investments finance the continued growth and expansion of the very industry that is the number one contributor to global warming and the effects of a changing climate on our communities and our economy. And now it is time for the State of Illinois to step up and act on this important issue. Not sure where to start, get the information you need here: The message is simple: Over the past ten years, the fossil fuel sector has consistently underperformed the broader market. Multiple independent studies have confirmed pension funds not invested in the fossil fuel industry would have generated high returns. The decision to no longer fund the fossil fuel industry with our pension funds is more than a moral imperative: It is an opportunity to make choices that will strengthen our challenged pension system through better returns. Who else has divested? Over 1,600 public, private, and non-profit institutions across the planet have already followed the experts and divested their assets from fossil fuel industry. Local divesting institutions include the Chicago Medical Society, the Field Museum, Loyola University Chicago, and the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund. Grassroots advocacy for the bill is being driven by Climate Safe Pensions Illinois, a state-wide coalition of organizations led by Third Act Illinois, 350 Chicago, and the Climate Reality Project-Chicago. More information can be found at our exciting new campaign website: climatesafepensionsillinois.org Like to find out more? Contact Jack Swenson (johnlswenson@gmail.com) or Kathy Tholin (kathy.tholin@gmail.com) |