CHICAGO – Today, the Board of Directors of Secure Illinois Retirements (SIR) announced it has
appointed Susan Sadlowski Garza as its new executive director. She brings a wealth of experience in
public service, labor, governance and advocacy to this role, having served as the alderman for Chicago's
10th Ward from 2015 to 2023; and as Area Vice President for the Chicago Teachers Union under the late
President Karen GJ Lewis.
"We are thrilled to welcome Susan to Secure Illinois Retirements," said Chairman of the Board Ira S.
Weiss. “Her deep commitment to public service and her understanding of the challenges facing working
families make her an ideal leader for our organization. We are confident that she will be a strong advocate
for ensuring all Illinoisans have access to a secure retirement."
During her time on the Chicago City Council, Ms. Garza was a tireless champion for her constituents,
fighting for affordable housing, quality education, and economic development. She also served as the
chair of the Council’s Committee on Workforce Development and Equity, helped pass legislation that
affected hundreds of thousands of workers across the city of Chicago and created workforce development
and training programs across the city.
"It is a profound responsibility to join SIR and advocate for the hardworking people of Illinois," said Ms.
Garza. "Retirement insecurity is a crisis that threatens the dignity and stability of too many lives. I am
dedicated to forging bold partnerships and transformative solutions to ensure that every individual can
retire with confidence, security, and peace of mind."
Ms. Garza's appointment as executive director comes at a critical time for millions of Americans who are
experiencing threats to their economic security. Public Sector workers across Illinois seek to fix the Tier
2 system and Susan’s knowledge of the labor movement and many relationships in both the public,
private and not-for-profit sectors will enable her to advocate for solutions for all public sector workers.
With her extensive experience and passion for public service, Ms. Garza is well-positioned to lead Secure
Illinois Retirement and its partners in its mission to ensure equity for all public sector workers.
About Secure Illinois Retirement:
Secure Illinois Retirements is an independent, nonprofit organization that educates and empowers public
sector workers on how to advocate for a fully funded pension system in Illinois. Our mission is to bring
public sector employees, legislators, laborers, and citizens to the table to encourage sustainable solutions
that will ensure the retirement security of our public employees. Through advocacy, education, and
outreach, Secure Illinois Retirement is working to create a more secure future for all Illinoisans.
SecureIllinoisRetirements.org.
