Apparently trying to take nothing for granted, Cary Republican Precinct Committeeman candidate Jennifer Weinhammer has already sent out a letter to her neighbors:
Jennifer Weinhammer
502 Red Cypress Drive
Cary, Illinois 60013
Candidate for Algonquin 17 Precinct Committeeman
Dear Neighbor,
Jennifer Weinhammer, running for Republican Precinct Committeeman in Algonquin 17.
My name is Jennifer Weinhammer and I am writing you to introduce myself as a candidate for Republican Precinct Committeeman in our precinct, Algonquin 17. While our family is new to Cary I have been incredibly involved with our community.
Running for local office is another great opportunity to give back and pay it forward. Here are some things about myself I would like you to know:
My husband Mike and I have been married for 12 years.
We have 2 children who attend school locally.
I really appreciate our Cary Police Department.
Specifically, I have been on the committee for our local “National Night Out” for the past two years.
It has been an amazing experience to see just how much of an impact we all can have.
This has also inspired me to attend the Citizen Police Academy this past fall through the Cary Police Department.
I also hold a Master’s Degree in Education.
I am a teacher by trade which perfectly fits in line with the duties and responsibilities of a precinct committeeman.
The job of a precinct committeeman is to help elect those candidates who represent the best interests of the local community and share the vision of a smaller, less intrusive government that will not tax us out of our lifestyles we enjoy in Cary.
This is done through a variety of methods which include mailings, emailing, social media, and going door to door. It is my hope that I will maximize all of these methods to keep you as informed as you like.
Additionally, I help locate sign locations for candidates so if you would like a sign please send me an email. If you need an absentee ballot you can contact the county clerk or I can assist you.
Finally, your precinct committeeman votes to elect local Republican Party Officers.
It is my opinion we should elect officers who will focus on tax and fiscal issues not just in the general election but in local, off year elections as well.
Some of the local candidates I will be supporting in the March 15th Primary are
- David McSweeney for State Representative,
- Demetri Tsilimigras for Judge,
- Joe Tirio for Recorder, and
- Pat Kenneally for State’s Attorney.
Additionally, we can elect two county board members and I will be supporting
- Yvonne Barnes and
- Tom Wilbeck.
I am really excited for this opportunity to run for Republican Precinct Committeeman in Algonquin 17 and I hope you will support the candidacy of myself and these other fine Republicans.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Weinhammer
jweinhammer@hotmail.com
Algonquin 17 Precinct Committeeman Candidate
= = = = =
If you have a precinct letter you would like to share, please email it to me in word document form.
If you receive political mailings I would appreciate your scanning or taking a picture of them and emailing them to me as well.
Nice..
Very well written and professional.
Two candidates, competition is a good thing, keeps democracy alive at the local level.
To all those moving out of Illinois, go, we can get better people.
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-families-in-illinois/18426/
karma, that website puts Cary at the top of McH Co.
I live in Cary, you gots to know that is a one messed up website.
You know who campaigns for Precinct Committeeman?
(A) People who have a dog in the fight for control of the county party leadership, or
(B) Crazy people who think that being an elected PC actually matters for something.
If you have an honest-to-God desire to work your precinct for the betterment of government, you don’t need a PC title to do it.
If you really want the title, there are enough vacancies that you can have it for the asking.
Judging from Weinhammer’s recommended candidates and the size of Algonquin 17 (making it a juicy get for either side of the kerfuffle), I would suspect that she falls into the (A) category.
But there’s no ruling out (B).
That said, I wish people who fall into the (A) category would be more upfront about it.
That way the people who care don’t have to do additional work to figure out what masters she serves and so that the people who don’t care can laugh at her for jumping into the petty slap fight currently taking place.
With how many people filed for precinct committeeman (PC) as a write in, you may want to reconsider statement (B).
https://www.co.mchenry.il.us/home/showdocument?id=58385
Many wise political operatives could write many papers about the power of the committeeman.
Personally, being an active PC is very rewarding.
As an elected PC you get to shape the local party.
It is really difficult to change out a congressman (not that I want to change my congressman (Peter Roskam is my guy)) – but a county board member or a local elected official?
If being a PC did not really matter would Bob Miller really be running for precinct committeeman… as a write in?
Couldn’t he shape the party from the outside?
Your statement about vacancy and “asking” is very telling.
This is the old way of doing things.
Moreover, I do not subscribe.
For too long we have had people in the Republican Party who simply “pulled the strings”.
There was a shift in the party in 2014 with a lot of good people coming together…
…there is no doubt the changes that began will continue in 2016.
It is about leadership and vision and getting people to agree.
Where do we want to go?
Clearly Jennifer Weinhammer has some ideas.
Cal – what made you decide to highlight the activities of this particular precinct committeeman?
Many more are communicating with their precincts.
Wonder who really wrote this article and what their agenda is.
The Cary police and TRS (teacher and administrators) pension funds are both way underfunded.
Cary was about 51% funded in FY 2014 I think and TRS is about 41% funded now.
Same old story, legislative benefit hikes and salary hikes while pensions were already underfunded, just tell the taxpayers a pension is a promise and stick them with the bill because taxpayers have unlimited money for pensions.
Andrew, that is Jr running in the 34th, not Sr.
She sent it to me.
If you would like to email a word document to me from your precinct committeeman, feel free to do so.
I guess it escapes her that 70% of our tax bill is for schools, when she worries of being ‘taxed out of her lifestyle’.
Funny stuff here.
Jennifer,
Thank you so much for your support and for spending your precious time and energy to work toward better government.
To the rest of you who, criticize and question her intentions, get off your couch.
DJ, There are a few Common-sensed Conservative teachers out there.
She is not only that, but young and very accomplished.
She is endorsing more non-politicians than politicians.
Yvonne Barnes is the only politician besides David McSweeney.
McSweeney is fantastic!
Barnes voting record is good.
Nob there are two open spots in that district.
Miller and her pet projects of interest that fund her private dynasty MUST GO!
Wilbeck and Barnes ARE the best picks for Dist. 1.
Really Herb?
How’s that former union schoolteacher Wheeler working out for everybody?
Where are these elected school teachers, like that McHenry Mayor, when their union is jamming another ridiculous contract down homeowners pockets?
Simple: she’s not one of the Conservative ones.
There are definitely fiscal minded teachers just as there are fiscal minded people in every profession so hopefully people in her precinct talk to her and learn her views.
++++++
Here is an example using this teacher’s pensionable income history that sheds some light on the pay hike reason of why of why we are in our current pension mess (pensions being the biggest long term fiscal problem in the state).
This is a real life example for illustrative purposes keeping in mind any one person can only have so much of an impact determining legislative benefit hikes and local salary hikes.
The income history of this teacher goes up and down a bit, which is not common but not unusual, as many teachers get a stipend of one sort or another for coaching, sponsoring a club, bus duty, etc., so if you take less extra duties, income decreases.
Also some teachers work less than full time some years for various reasons (pregnancy, early years after having a child, spend time with elmentary kids, become a part time care giver, etc.), but that does not seem to be the case here, she was a full time teacher at least through 2011 (if the school district properly reported the statistics to ISBE TSR); and likely the entire time.
Setting aside the past few years, historically over the last 5 – 20 years or so many teachers and administrators in the Chicago suburbs have been getting an average of 6% pay hikes.
The state contributing less money to the pension fund meant more money was available for General State Aid which went to school districts, and since the the biggest expense of any school district is salaries, lots of General State Aid money went to salary hikes.
Some school districts get more General State Aid as a percentage of overall revenue than others, so there are other factors driving the pay hikes as well, not the least of which comparables during negotiating are always only within the state never out of state even if there is another school district a few miles over the border (granted teachers are licensed by state but if you get a license in one state you should be able to obtain a license in another state).
Now if the unions and others really wanted to protect pensions, they would have scaled back current pay hikes and insisted more money go to pension funding, and they could have frozen benefit levels (no more legislative benefit hikes) until pensions were fully funded, and they certainly had the clout to insist upon that.
But that’s not what happened for many reasons, one being they took the pension sentence added to Illinois State Constitution as meaning one way or another taxpayers would be forced to fund the hiked pensions; another being personal greed – max out now and let future generations figure out how to make up the difference.
Of course the union leaders don’t explain this to the rank and file, so many rank and file had not a clue if they did not have time to think the scheme though, but irregardless the internal union elections resulted in the scheme being perpetuated year after (teacher unions especially have all sorts of internal elections).
And we can extend this to other unions not only teacher unions, and other special interest groups.
So here is the salary history of Jennifer L Weinhammer (formerly Miner).
She is employed as a Middle School Science Teacher by CUSD 300 (has been with CUSD 300 her entire full time teaching career, which is one of the largest school districts in the state).
2003 – $35,093 – 1st year teaching (starting pay his higher as of 2016)
2004 – $39,837 – 14% pensionable income hike (or decrease) – includes pensionable stipends
2005 – $42,054 – 06%
2006 – $42,337 – 01%
2007 – $44,973 – 06%
2008 – $54,638 – 21% (the so called Masters bump – pay hike for achieving a Masters degree)
2009 – $55,564 – 02%
2010 – $57,422 – 03%
2011 – $50,758 -(12%)
2012 – $46,530 – 08%
2013 – $57,617 – 24%
2014 – $58,785 – 02% (12th year worked)
Average approximately 4.39% pay hike.
What would the 2014 salary have been if annual pay hikes had averaged 4%, 5%, or 6% instead of 4.39%?
We can use a compound interest calculator such as the one on Money Chimp for that calculation.
http://www.moneychimp.com/calculator/compound_interest_calculator.htm
Average Annual Pay Hike – 2014 Pay
4.00% – $56,185
4.39% – $58,785
5.00% – $63,022
6.00% – $70,614
Next, for Tier 1 Pension benefits, which is those teachers and administrators who began their career prior to January 1, 2011 (that would be Tier II), full retirement is after 35 years of service.
Most teachers and administrators retire with less than 35 years worked (years of service is different than years worked) for a number of reasons, including exchanging up to 2 years (340 days) of unused sick days for 2 years of service credit; Early Retirement Option (ERO); and other reasons.
So what would be the effect of 4%, 4.39%, 5%, and 6% pay hikes over 35 years?
Average Annual Pay Hike – Salary After 35 Years Worked
4.00% – $138,480
4.39% – $157,863
5.00% – $193,573
6.00% – $269,727
To determine starting pension, one must first calculate the sum of the last 4 years worked.
Sum of Last 4 Years Worked
4.00% – $522,773
4.39% – $592,725
5.00% – $720,720
6.00% – $990,711
Next, take the average of the last 4 years worked.
4.00% – $130,693
4.39% – $149,181
5.00% – $180,180
6.00% – $247,678
Next, take 75% of that average to determine starting pension.
4.00% – $098,020
4.39% – $111,136
5.00% – $135,135
6.00% – $185,758
Next, if one starts working in 2003 at age 22, works 35 years, they can retire at age 56 in year 2037.
And most teachers and administrators, again, retire with less than 35 years worked.
Year 2003 – 22 years of age = born around year 1981.
2016 – 1981 = 35 years of age approximately.
What is the life expectancy of a 35 year old living in the United States in Year 2016?
We need a life expectancy calculator.
Social Security has one.
https://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/population/longevity.htm.
For a female born January 1, 1981, this calculator states that age 35 one can expect 50 more years to age 85.
To recap the retirement was age 56 in year 2037 after 35 years worked.
That means one would be in retirement 29 years until age 85 in year 2075.
Let’s go with that to calculate final pension using the annuity calculator and the starting pension figures above with 29 years in retirement and 3% COLA annual benefit increase.
Average Annual Pay Hike While Working – Ending Pension (29 years in retirement, age 85)
4.00% – $230,990
4.39% – $261,899
5.00% – $318,454
6.00% – $437,750
So the average annual pay hike has a dramatic effect on the pension, and is why unions lobbied for more General State Aid at the expense of pension funding among other efforts.
The union mantra is a pension is a promise, pensions are constitutionally guaranteed, the State and employers ripped us off by diverting pension funding to pet projects.
One of those pet projects, arguably the favorite and definitely one the unions lobbied for, was hiking salaries, while simultaneously the unions lobbied to hike pension benefits to underfunded pensions, which worsened the funding level of pension funds.
So now what.
Sources of taxpayer revenues are desired to fund irresponsibly hiked pensions.
Hi Mark, Thank you for doing your research on Jennifer L Weinhammer, however that is my sister in law.
Please feel free to research me at Jennifer A Weinhammer.
I welcome any other questions, concerns or thoughts if you want to email me.
Oops my apologies.
Herb, two committee man positions, or two running for the one spot?
**Please feel free to research me at Jennifer A Weinhammer.**
LOL – Mark nails his “facts” once again!
The main takeaway is a 2% hike in pay almost doubles the pension.
Diverting money from pensions to salary hikes is a double taxpayer whammy.
1. Pension funding decreases, hiking the taxpayer pension IOU.
2. Salary is hiked, hiking the starting pension, hiking the taxpayer pension IOU.
Employers deliberately hiked salaries even though pensions were already underfunded, and in many cases the unions lobbied for the salary hikes knowing full well their pensions were already underfunded.
More focus was placed on salary hikes than pension funding by unions and government employers / the state.
In Illinois thanks to one sentence added to the state constitution in 1970, taxpayers are constitutionally bound to fund any shortfall in the hiked pensions.
+++++
Underfunded pensions is becoming an increasing problem in Illinois.
Chicago Tribune
State pension crisis hurt Chicago’s chances for GE headquarters, sources say
January 14, 2016
By Becky Yerak and Kim Janssen
“Chicago was a finalist to score General Electric’s corporate headquarters — and 800 jobs — but the state’s pension crisis and the condition of Chicago’s public schools helped remove it from the running, sources close to the selection process told the Tribune on Wednesday.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-ge-headquarters-boston-20160113-story.html
Looks to me like this woman running has some feathers ruffled.
Who’s she running against?
I got her mailing.
Who’s the competition?
Interesting.
Teacher by trade?
What exactly do you mean by that?
I searched Jennifer A. Weinhammer and couldn’t find any records of you holding a teaching position in the state of Illinois.
Hi Beth, that is true.
After having our two children I took time off to be a mom to raise our kids as many people do.
I hold a Masters Degree in Education and am involved at the school level still.
However during the years of my children being young I wanted to be home for them.
Here is a link to a little bit more about me, on my walk card, on the McHenry County Blog.
If you have any questions please feel free to email me. My email is on the walk card. Thank you.
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2016/01/30/jennifer-weinhammer-out-walking-her-precinct/