Blair-Sherlock votes in favor of HB2564 to revise pension code on salary increase exclusions

Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock (D-46th) cast a Yes vote on HB2564 during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026. As reported by the Illinois House, the legislation, which seeks to amend the Pension Code on salary increase exclusions, passed in a 92-25 vote.

The official bill text identifies the measure as: "PEN CD-TRS-SALARY INCREASES."

The summary below offers an interpretation of the actual bill text to clarify its main provisions.

This bill updates the Illinois Pension Code by changing requirements for extra employer contributions related to salary increases above 6%. It specifically exempts pay raises effective on or after July 1, 2025, that are due to overload work, such as teaching during summer school, from these extra payments. For the exemption to apply, a school district must certify and receive confirmation that the extra work solely involved classroom instruction beyond normal full-time duties and that the salary increases align with the standard pay rate based on the teacher’s existing salary and schedule. The measure is effective immediately once enacted.

The legislative record for HB2564 lists the action as 'Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 House Concurs'.

Blair-Sherlock holds an Associate of Arts from College of DuPage (1985), a Bachelor of Science from Northern Illinois University (1987), and a Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School (1993).

A Democrat, Blair-Sherlock began representing Illinois’ 46th House District in 2023 after succeeding Deborah Conroy in the state legislature.

Lawmakers in Illinois use a multi-step process to pass legislation, starting with introduction, moving through committee review, floor debate, and votes in both chambers before a bill is sent to the governor. During the biennial sessions, thousands of bills are introduced each time, with only some making it through all legislative stages to become law.