The Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund (CTPF) Board of Trustees
unanimously voted to adopt a resolution affirming its commitment
to U.S. infrastructure investment during its meeting on September
21, 2017.

Citing the critical role that infrastructure plays in delivering
economic growth, reducing poverty, and addressing development
challenges, the resolution recognized that U.S. infrastructure
investments safeguard the health and safety of our collective
society and are in the best interest of the Fund and its members.

“Our Trustees took an important step in publicly affirming our
support for U.S. infrastructure investments. Our Board of
Trustees has made U.S. infrastructure investments a priority
since 2009, and we have committed more than $360 million to this
asset class since that time. As responsible stewards of public
funds, we appreciate the opportunities that infrastructure
investments present not just to meet our investment goals, but
also to promote the public good. These investments pay dividends
not just as an investment return, but in a much broader sense,
providing jobs in the skilled trades, supporting families, and
helping grow the economy,” said Jay C. Rehak, President of the
CTPF Board of Trustees.

The Trustees considered evidence offered by the American Society
of Civil Engineers in their “2017 Report Card for U.S.
infrastructure,” which evaluated U.S. aviation, bridges, dams,
drinking water, energy, solid waste, transit, and wastewater and
gave these facilities a D+ overall rating. Furthermore, the
Trustees noted that recent natural disasters have underscored the
need to rebuild, maintain, and improve aging U.S. infrastructure
systems to address long-term issues of urbanization and climate
change.

“We know that many funds have begun to consider infrastructure as
a way to diversify portfolios in a low-interest rate
environment,” said Charles A. Burbridge, CTPF Executive Director.
“This resolution underscores our Trustees’ leadership in this
area, and highlights their commitment to making impactful and
responsible investments of public funds.”

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