SB2016 amends the Illinois School Code to regulate how school districts that offer employees a 403(b) retirement savings plan may contract with vendors to provide investment options. By July 1, 2027, each school board in the state that offers such a plan may enter into a contract with one or more vendors, but any vendor selected after the effective date must be mutually agreed upon by the affected collective bargaining unit or units and the school board.
The bill also requires the school board to ensure that the vendor and the plan’s investment options comply with specified investment guidelines, including a cap on administrative asset-based fees of 0.50% annually. In addition, if a district changes vendors, employees would be allowed to opt out of transferring their individual 403(b) assets to the new vendor. The bill applies only to contracts entered into, extended, or renewed on or after the effective date.
Impact
If enacted, SB2016 would create new statutory requirements in the School Code governing vendor selection and fee limits for school district 403(b) retirement savings plans. It would affect school boards, collective bargaining units, plan vendors, and participating school employees by adding negotiation requirements, fee restrictions, investment standards, and transfer opt-out protections for future contracts.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the available context suggests a policy-focused measure aimed at protecting school employees’ retirement savings and improving oversight of vendor arrangements. The bill appears generally employee-protective and union-aware, with no documented opposition or support in the provided materials.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are likely to be the requirement that post-effective-date vendors be mutually agreed upon by the school board and affected collective bargaining units, and the 0.50% cap on administrative asset-based fees. School districts and vendors may view these provisions as limiting contracting flexibility or revenue, while employee representatives may support them as safeguards against excessive fees and unwanted asset transfers. The opt-out right for moving assets to a new vendor could also be a point of operational concern for districts and administrators.
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