SURS Trustee Election 2027
Members Encouraged to Apply this Fall
On May 3, 2027, SURS members will elect two active-member trustees and one annuitant trustee for six-year terms. The terms of elected trustees Andriy Bodnaruk (active member), Herbert Pitman (active member), and Fred Giertz (annuitant-member) will expire in July 2027. If there is more than one nominee for each elected trustee position, the board will conduct a secret ballot election April 1 – May 3, 2027.
The voting period for the election will take place April 1 – May 3, 2027. The election will be conducted by the independent election firm, YesElections. SURS encourages all eligible members to consider running for a seat on the board.
Candidate packets will be available this fall.
State Law Limits Number of Trustees with Ties to U of I
According to state law, the SURS board can have a maximum of two active-member trustees and one annuitant trustee who are employed by or retired from the University of Illinois (all campuses). The current board includes one active-member trustee, Collin Van Meter from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, whose term does not expire until 2030. Therefore, a maximum of one active-member trustee from any of the University of Illinois campuses may be elected from the U of I campuses in this election.
Events Timeline:
Election Informational Packets Available
Oct. 1, 2026
Petition Circulation Period
Oct. 1, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027
Applications Due to SURS
Dec. 31, 2026
Petitions Due to SURS
Feb. 1, 2027
Petition Validations and Candidates Slated
February – March 2027
Voting Period
April 1 – May 3, 2027
Election Results Announced
May 2027
Terms Begin
July 2027
To be included on the ballot, active SURS members will need to:
- Be certified as an active participating SURS-covered employee by their current employer and be making employee contributions into SURS during the 31 days preceding March 1, 2027.
- Fill out an application and provide biographic information to SURS before Dec. 31, 2026.
- Collect at least 400 signatures from active SURS members and return completed hard copy or electronic petitions to SURS by Feb. 1, 2027, for validation.
To be included on the ballot, annuitants will need to:
- Be retired from a SURS-covered employer for at least one full year prior to the election. For this election, that is May 3, 2027.
- Fill out an application and provide biographic information to SURS by Dec. 31, 2026.
- Collect at least 100 signatures from annuitant SURS members and return the completed hard copy or electronic petitions to SURS by Feb. 1, 2027, for validation.
Applications, nominating petitions and detailed information will be available at surs.org beginning Oct. 1, 2026. Questions can be directed to Kelly Carson at kcarson@surs.org.
Candidates may utilize electronic petitions for members to sign online via YesElections, they may circulate hard copy petitions, or they can use a combination of both.
All eligible SURS members will receive voting instructions and candidate information on or before April 1, 2027. Members will be able to vote online, by phone or by returning a paper ballot in a postage-paid envelope.
Voting will be handled directly through YesElections.
The SURS board is made up of 11 trustees. Four trustees are elected by active SURS members, two are elected by retired SURS members and five are appointed by the governor of Illinois (one of whom is the chairperson of the Illinois Board of Higher Education). The governor designates the board chairperson from the 11 trustees.
The board meets quarterly, with additional committee meetings scheduled throughout the year. Trustees are also required to complete at least eight hours of annual training.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a paid position?
Each trustee shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in attending board meetings and carrying out his or her duties as a trustee or officer of the System.
How often does the board meet?
The board meets at least quarterly, with additional committee meetings scheduled throughout the year. Agendas are posted 48 hours prior to each meeting.
What are the requirements for each, annuitant and active member?
The SURS Board of Trustees has a fiduciary duty to administer the System in compliance with the requirements of Articles 1 and 15 of the Illinois Pension Code.
Who can I contact if I have other related questions?
Candidates or others interested should contact Kelly Carson (kcarson@surs.org) with questions.