Press Releases
The latest press releases from SURS. For press inquiries, click here.
Lyons Appointed SURS Chair
Champaign, IL. – Gov. Pritzker has appointed John Lyons to chair the SURS Board of Trustees. He replaces John Atkinson who stepped down as chair last month to head Intersect Illinois. Lyons has served as an appointed SURS trustee since 2019 and was elected board...
SURS Hires Schlachter as CIO
Champaign, IL – The SURS Board of Trustees has hired Michael Schlachter, CFA, as the System’s new chief investment officer (CIO). Schlachter will replace current CIO Doug Wesley when he retires in March of 2024. In the interim, the two will share responsibilities with...
SURS CIO to Retire
Doug Wesley, SURS chief investment officer (CIO) for nearly seven years, is set to retire March 1, 2024. "It has been an honor and privilege to serve SURS board and members,” said Wesley. “I strongly believe that SURS makes a difference in people’s lives and I’m...
Kothari Joins SURS Board
Champaign, IL. - Pranav Kothari has joined the SURS Board of Trustees. Kothari was recently appointed chair of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) by Gov. Pritzker. State statute dictates that the IBHE chair also serves on the SURS Board of Trustees. Kothari...
SURS Fall 2023 Newsletter Now Available
Check it out! Get details on the 2024 trustee election candidate packets, SURS board chair, SURS retiring CIO, investment updates, legislation and more. https://surs.org/news-publications/publications/newsletter/
Atkinson Leaves SURS to Chair Intersect Illinois
Champaign, IL – John Atkinson has transitioned from his posts as chairperson of the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) to become the chairman of Intersect Illinois. Atkinson is managing director and chairman...
2024 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
The state of Illinois TRAIL Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) open enrollment period for participating annuitants and survivors is October 15 through November 15, 2023. The 2024 plan year will begin January 1, 2024, and will run through December 31, 2024....
SURS Commits Millions to Real Estate Fund
Champaign, IL – The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) Board of Trustees on Sept. 8 voted to commit $75 million to Brookfield Strategic Real Estate (BSREP) Fund V, of Toronto, Canada, subject to successful contract negotiations. BSREP currently...
SURS Recognized for DCP Design
SURS has been chosen as a recipient of a 2023 Leadership Recognition Award by the National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators, Inc (NAGDCA) for the design and rollout of its Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP). The NAGDCA Awards recognize the...
SURS Summer 2023 Newsletter Now Available
Check it out! Learn about the upcoming 2024 trustee election, DCP auto enrollment, the FY 2024 state budget, educational webinars, recent legislation that affects SURS members, investment updates and more.https://surs.org/news-publications/publications/newsletter/