State Rep. Dave Winters, R-Shirland, citing frustration over the pension-reform impasse in the Illinois General Assembly, today announced that his retirement from the Illinois House of Representatives will take effect Tuesday, July 31.
”I was encouraged this year by the focus on pension reform by leaders of both parties and by Governor Quinn. I had high hopes that we would achieve an affordable, sustainable long-term solution fair to both taxpayers and state retirees," he said. "That effort failed at the end of session in May, and the lack of progress at additional meetings since then have made it clear to me that no substantial reform affecting all retirement systems will pass before the election of a new General Assembly.
"As a signal of my frustration, and as a possible spur to move pension reform forward, I decided to move the date of my retirement forward to July 31,” Winters said.
Winters, a farmer from Shirland, was first elected to the House in 1994 after serving six years on the Winnebago County Board. Winters said he has been proud to serve the residents of Winnebago County, and is especially proud of his work as a long-time member of the House Environment and Energy and Environmental Health Committees, striving to create sustainable, renewable energy sources for our families that are also business friendly.
“I am grateful to my constituents for the trust and confidence they have placed in me. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to represent them in the Illinois House,” Winters said.
The 60 year-old Winters said he is ready for the next chapter in his life.