Meeting of the Legal & Legislative Committee
Meeting: March 5, 2026 | Posted: June 9, 2026 | SURS Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
The meeting of the Legal & Legislative Committee of the Board of Trustees of the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) convened on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 3:15 p.m.
This meeting was held in person at State Universities Retirement System in Champaign, IL.
The following trustees were present: Dr. Andry Bodnaruk (remote); Dr. Fred Giertz; Mr. Scott Hendrie; Mr. Pranav Kothari; Mr. John Lyons; Mr. Herbert Pitman; Dr. Steven Rock (chair); Mr. Collin Van Meter; and Mr. Antonio Vasquez.
Others present: Ms. Suzanne Mayer, Executive Director; Ms. Bianca Green, General Counsel; Ms. Heather Kimmons, Associate Legal Counsel; Mr. Michael Schlachter, Chief Investment Officer; Ms. Nichole Hemming, Chief Human Resources Officer; Mr. Jefferey Saiger, Chief Strategy & Technology Officer; Ms. Tara Myers, Chief Financial Officer; Ms. Jackie Hohn, Chief Internal Auditor; Mr. Mark Rowe, Chief Benefits Officer; Ms. Kristen Houch, Director of Legislative and Stakeholder Relations; Ms. Lisa Fink, Communications Manager; Ms. Kelly Carson, Ms. Chelsea McCarty, and Ms. Annette Ackerman, Executive Assistants; Mr. Michael Calabrese of Foley & Lardner LLP.
Legal & Legislative Committee roll call attendance was taken: Trustee Giertz, present; Trustee Lyons, present; Trustee Jiganti, absent; Trustee Pitman, present; and Trustee Rock (chair), present.
Approval of Minutes
Trustee Rock presented the minutes from the Legal & Legislative Committee meeting of December 5, 2025.
Trustee Pitman made the following motion:
- That the minutes from the December 5, 2025, Legal & Legislative Committee meeting be approved as presented.
Trustee Lyons seconded the motion, which passed via all committee members present voting in favor of the motion.
Chairperson’s Report
Trustee Rock did not have a chairperson’s report.
Legislative Update
Ms. Kristen Houch provided a legislative update informing trustees of the Governor’s fiscal year 2027 Budget titled, “Governor’s Introduced FY 2029 Budget,” and provided a report titled, “Legislative Activity since 1/1/2026” that contains information relating to pending legislation that may impact SURS.
Rulemaking and Compliance Update
Status of Pending Rules
Ms. Bianca Green provided a brief update on the status of pending administrative rules.
Compliance Stoplight Report
Ms. Green reviewed the document titled, “January 2026 Stoplight Report,” that reflects SURS’ compliance with its reporting requirements.
Reminder of Statements of Economic Interest and Required State Trainings
Ms. Green reminded the trustees of their annually required trainings and of the need to file their Statements of Economic Interest and the Supplemental Statements of Economic Interest as the deadlines for completion are approaching. She reminded them to reach out to her with any questions regarding these items.
Informational Items Not Requiring Board Action
- 104th General Assembly Legislation Updated
- Legislative Outreach Plan 2025-2026
- Appendix Sample Economic Impact Fact Sheet
- Appendix Sample Post-Session Miscellaneous Letter
- Appendix Sample Pre-Session Letter
- Appendix Sample SURS Issue Brief
- Appendix Sample Budget Fact Sheet
- Appendix Sample Legislative Fact Sheet
- Appendix Sample Post -Session Sponsor Thank You Letter
- Appendix Sample Quick Reference Guide
Public Comment
There were no public comments presented to the Legal & Legislative Committee.
Adjourn
There was no further business brought before the committee and Trustee Giertz moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Trustee Lyons, and it passed via the following roll call vote:
Trustee Giertz – aye
Trustee Lyons – aye
Trustee Jiganti – absent
Trustee Pitman – aye
Trustee Rock – aye
Ms. Suzanne M. Mayer
Executive Director and Secretary, Board of Trustees