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ABOUT US

OUR HISTORY​

PABF’s authority, duty, and responsibility is governed by state statute and administered by the Retirement Board of Trustees (“The Board”) in compliance with Act 5 of the Illinois Pension Code. The Fund was first created in 1887 through an act of the Illinois legislature. In 1922, the laws governing police pensions were significantly restructured and re-codified forming the statutory basis under which the Fund is currently administered.

The PABF is a single employer, defined benefit pension plan. A defined benefit pension plan guarantees a specific retirement benefit amount for each participant predetermined by a formula based on the employee’s earnings history, tenure of service, and age. The Fund is a qualified 401(a) plan under the Internal Revenue Code.

OUR MISSION

The mission of the Policemen’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago (“PABF”) is to provide retirement, survivors, and disability benefits to sworn members of the Chicago Police Department, their spouses, and children.

THE BOARD

The Board is composed of 8 trustees: 4 of whom are elected and 4 of whom are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Chicago. The elected trustees include one active police officer from each rank of patrolmen, sergeant, lieutenant or above, and one annuitant. The Board elects one trustee as President, one as Vice President, and one as Recording Secretary.

The Board of Trustees administers benefits, manages the Fund’s assets, and employs staff members. All members of the Board of Trustees are fiduciaries with respect to the Fund and are statutorily mandated to discharge their duties as such solely in the interest of the Fund’s participants and beneficiaries. The Board is required by law to hold regular meetings each month and submit a detailed report of the affairs of the Fund to the State and to the City Council of Chicago each year.

DUTIES OF THE BOARD

Consider and approve all applications for annuity and benefits

Develop rules and regulations for the proper conduct of the affairs of the Fund

Conduct an annual audit of the accounts of the Fund by a certified public accountant

Invest the assets of the Fund pursuant to statutory regulations

Employ an enrolled actuary to provide an annual actuarial statement

The Board appoints an Executive Director to oversee all administrative functions and supervise office staff. The Executive Director ensures all Board decisions and policies are implemented and properly executed.

The Fund supports diversity and equal opportunity in all aspects of Fund operations. The Board is committed to having staff, service providers and an investment portfolio that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The Board believes that the more inclusive the Fund is, the better
it is for its members and for the community.

BOARD HEARING RULES
ELECTION RULES

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Saul Del Rivero

Elected Retiree Representative
BIOGRAPHY

Saul Del Rivero

Trustee Saul Del Rivero has served as a member of the Board since February 2026 as the annuitant representative.
He is a business and labor-focused executive with experience spanning law enforcement, union advocacy, and private-sector leadership. A former Chicago Police Detective, he served in Area One, Fugitive Apprehension Section, and the Cold Case Homicide Squad. Saul also served in the 013th and 025th Districts as a Patrol Officer.
He later served as a Field Representative for the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, advocating on pension and medical matters and supporting legislative and media initiatives. In the private sector, Saul has held senior leadership roles as a Managing Partner and Vice President of a Houston-based firm, driving revenue growth, operational scale, and financial discipline. He currently serves as COO of an Illinois-based firm serving major trade unions across the Midwest.
Education
  • M.S., Criminal Science, Lewis University
  • B.A., Criminal Justice, University of Illinois at Chicago

Brock Merck

Elected Patrolman Representative
BIOGRAPHY

Brock Merck

Trustee Merck was elected to serve on the Board as of May 29, 2024, representing the ranks of Investigator, Patrolman or rank equivalent. A native Chicagoan, Detective Merck attended St. Mary of The Woods grammar school and Loyola Academy high school and is an Eagle Scout.  He served our country in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Officer in Afghanistan and was awarded the Bronze Star.  Detective Merck is well traveled, having been to all 50 states as well as a couple dozen countries.  Detective Merck has also been a Trustee with FOP Lodge 7, serving on the 990/Finance, Grievance, FTO, and PAC committees.  He has served as a Police Officer in 014 (Unit Rep), a Field Training Officer in 016 (Unit Rep) and a Detective in 630/650.

Friend of the truth and foe of the unrighteous.

Education

• B.B.A. Loyola University Chicago

Brian Wright

Elected Lieutenant Representative
BIOGRAPHY

Brian Wright

Trustee Wright has been serving  as an elected member of the Board since December 2024, representing members from the rank of Lieutenant, Captain, and Exempt members of the Chicago Police Department. Lieutenant Wright began his career as a sworn officer with the Chicago Police Department in 1998.  Trustee Wright was promoted to Detective in 2007, Sergeant in 2010, and Lieutenant in 2020.  Trustee Wright previously served as the elected member of the Board representing  members from the rank Sergeant from 2011 to 2020.

Education
• B.S. Political Science, University of Illinois at Chicago
• J.D., The John Marshall Law School

John Lally

Elected Sergeant Representative
BIOGRAPHY

John Lally

Trustee Lally has been serving as an elected member of the Board since September 2020, representing the rank of Sergeant. Sergeant Lally began his career as a sworn officer with the Chicago Police Department in 2001. During his career with CPD, Trustee Lally has served as a Patrol Officer, Detective and was promoted to Sergeant in 2016.

Education
• B.A. Business Administration, Saint Xavier University, 2007
• Graduate of Certified Financial Planning Program, DePaul University, 2009

Melissa Conyears-Ervin

Appointed Trustee // Treasurer of the City of Chicago
BIOGRAPHY

Melissa Conyears-Ervin

Trustee Conyears-Ervin has been serving as an appointed member of the Board since May 2019. Trustee Conyears-Ervin is the elected Treasurer for the City of Chicago and prior to taking on the role of City Treasurer, she represented the 10th District as a State Representative with the Illinois House of Representatives.

Education
• B.S. Finance, Roosevelt University, 1997
• M.B.A. Finance & Human Resources Management, Roosevelt University, 2003

Annette Guzman

Appointed Trustee // Budget Director of the City of Chicago
BIOGRAPHY

Annette Guzman

Trustee Guzman has been serving as an appointed member of the Board since June 2023.  Ms. Guzman is currently the Budget Director for the City of Chicago and has served in that role since May 2023.

Education
• J.D. University of Chicago Law School
• B.A. English Language and Literature, Emory University

 

 

Steven Mahr

Appointed Trustee // Acting Chief Financial Officer of the City of Chicago
BIOGRAPHY

Steven Mahr

Trustee Mahr has been an appointed member of the Board since April 2026.  Mr. Mahr is currently the Acting Chief Financial Officer for the City of Chicago and has served in that role since February 2026.  Mr. Mahr has worked at the City since March 2024..

Education
• B.A. Economics and Political Science, Ohio State University

Max Budovitch

Appointed Trustee // Office of the Mayor of the City of Chicago
BIOGRAPHY

Max Budovitch

Trustee Budovitch has been serving as an appointed member of the Board since August 2025. Mr. Budovitch is currently the First Deputy for Business and Neighborhood Development for the City of Chicago and has worked at the City since October 2019.

Education
• Masters in City Planning. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• B.A. Philosophy, Yale University

professional advisors

Consultants

banking

MEDICAL ADVISOR

Risk Management

WEBSITE

LEGAL

LEGISLATIVE LIAISON

FOIA/OMA

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) is intended to ensure that members of the public have access to information about their government and its decision-making process. It requires all public bodies, including the PABF, to make its public records available for inspection and copying. Under FOIA, all records of a public body are presumed to be open for inspection and copying. However, FOIA also permits certain records to be withheld from inspection.  Please refer to the attached FOIA Informational Packet.  For more information regarding FOIA and current exemptions, see the Illinois Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.

Please review the following information and instructions on how to file a FOIA request with the PABF:

  • Submit your FOIA request in writing. The PABF does not require the completion of a standard form for this purpose. You may submit your written request by mail, fax or e-mail directed to:
    PABF FOIA Officer
    221 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1626
    Chicago, IL 60601
    Fax: 312-726-3216
    Email: FOIA@chipabf.org
  • Be as specific as possible when describing the records you are seeking. Remember, FOIA is designed to allow you to inspect or receive copies of records. It is not designed to require a public body to answer questions.
  • Indicate whether you would like copies of the requested records, or whether you wish to examine the records in person. You have the right to either option.
  • Expect to receive the first 50 pages of standard paper copies free of charge. For pages beyond 50, you will be charged 15¢ per page.
  • If you are seeking a fee waiver, please include the following statement (or a similar statement) in your written FOIA request: “I request a waiver of all fees associated with this request.” In addition, you must include a specific explanation as to why your request for information is in the public interest – not simply your personal interest – and merits a fee waiver.
  • Please include your name, preferred telephone number(s), mailing address, and, if you wish, your e-mail address.

For additional questions about requests for information, please call the PABF office at 312-744-3891.

For additional general information about FOIA in Illinois, you can access the website of the Illinois Attorney General.

The purpose of the Open Meetings Act (OMA) is to ensure that the actions of public bodies are taken openly and that their deliberations are conducted openly. For more information regarding the OMA, see the Illinois Open Meetings Act at 5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.

The PABF acknowledges it is a “public body” as defined in the Act, 5 ILCS 120/1.02, and adopts the following policy in accordance with the Act regarding the methods of attendance by Board Members at meetings, the procedure to record open meetings, and the procedure to address the Board at meetings.

PDF of PABF OMA rules

For additional general information about OMA in Illinois, you can access the website of the Illinois Attorney General.

Pabf Organizational Chart