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REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees was held at 9:00 a.m., July 25,
2008, in the Fund Office at 2211 York Road, Suite 400, Oak Brook, Illinois.
Ms. Ford and Mr. Kelly from Ennis Knupp and Associates, Mr. Moss from Seyfarth
Shaw, LLP, and representatives from Loop Capital, MR Beal and Cheevers and
Company were also present.
Dow Jones
Wilshire 5000 -8.1 % -1.6 % -10.9 % -12.5 % 5.0 % 8.7 % 3.6 %
Index
MSCI EAFE Index -8.2 -2.3 -11.0 -10.6 12.8 16.7 5.8
MSCI Emerging
-10.0 -0.9 -11.8 4.6 27.1 29.7 15.2
Markets Index
Lehman Brothers
Aggregate Bond -0.1 -1.0 1.1 7.1 4.1 3.9 5.7
Index
Financial markets in June were dominated by news of deteriorating financial companies and soaring oil prices, as reflected in the
astonishing -18.7% plunge of the S&P Financial Sector Index and the +2.2% rise of the S&P Energy Sector Index, the only sector to
escape the month in positive territory. Oil finished at $140 per barrel, which translated into a $4.09 average price for a gallon of
gasoline across the country. U.S. stocks closed out the second quarter just shy of an official bear market, marked by a nearly 20% drop
from the previous high set in October 2007. The U.S. equity market, as measured by the DJ Wilshire 5000 Index, fell -8.1% in June, the
worst monthly performance since September 2002. Small cap stocks were slightly stronger than their large cap counterparts while
growth stocks outperformed value stocks across the capitalization spectrum.
Non-U.S. stocks, as measured by the MSCI All-Country World ex-U.S. Index, slid -8.2% in June. Developed nations, as measured by
the MSCI EAFE Index, matched the losses of the broad Index with a -8.2% decline while emerging markets tumbled -10.0%. With its
abundant natural resources, Canada handily outperformed (-3.6%) while losses were also lighter in Japan (-6.8%). U.S. investors in
foreign markets benefited from a mildly depreciating U.S. dollar. As in the U.S., small cap and growth stocks proved more resistant to
the harsh climate than large cap and value stocks.
The U.S. bond market, as measured by the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index, fell -0.1% during June. Rapidly rising yields
spurred by inflation concerns and speculation of Fed action during the first half of the month were offset by falling yields in the latter half
as slowing growth and nervousness in the stock market drove investors to the fixed income market. The government sector (+0.6%)
was the strongest performer as investors flocked away from the credit sector (-0.5%). The non-index high yield sector shed -2.8% after
two consecutive months of strong gains. The Fed left overnight interests rates at a 2.0% target and signaled that they were likely to
remain that way until at least later this year.
The exhibits above show the performance of the major capital markets during the quarter and one-year periods.
The exhibits above show the historical performance of the major capital markets and the amount of risk (volatility of returns) incurred.
Points near the top of the chart represent a greater return and points near the right of the chart indicate greater volatility.
The Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index is the broadest available measure of the aggregate domestic stock market. It includes all domestic
common stocks with readily available price information.
The exhibits above show the performance of the sectors that comprise the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index. The percentage below
each bar indicates the sector's weight within the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index at quarter-end.
The exhibits above illustrate the performance of stock investment styles according to capitalization (large and small) and style
characteristics (value and growth). The percentage below each bar indicates the segment's weight within the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000
Index at quarter-end.
The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index is a broad measure of the U.S. investment grade fixed income market. The Index consists
of the corporate, government, and mortgage-backed indexes and includes credit card, auto, and home equity loan-backed securities.
The exhibits above show the performance of the sectors that comprise the broad domestic bond market. The percentage below each
bar indicates the sector's weight within the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index at quarter-end.
The exhibit above illustrates yields of Treasury securities of various maturities as of June 30, 2007, March 31, 2008, and June 30,
2008.
The MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index is a capitalization-weighted index of stocks representing 22 developed stock markets and
25 emerging stock markets around the world. The exhibits above show the performance of the regions that comprise the MSCI All
Country World ex-U.S. Index at quarter-end.
The exhibit above illustrates the percentage of the non-U.S. stock market, as measured by the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index,
that each region represents.
8
TOTAL FUND
Policy Allocations Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund
Asset Policy
Asset Class Difference
Allocation Allocation
U.S. Equity 37.3% 39.0% -1.7%
Fixed Income 37.3 36.0 1.3
Non-U.S. Equity 17.5 15.0 2.5
Real Estate 2.7 4.0 -1.3
Alternative Investments 4.3 5.0 -0.7
Cash 1.0 1.0 0.0
The current policy states that when the actual allocations of the asset classes differ by more than four percentage points from their
policy allocations, a recommendation for re-balancing will be made to the Board of Trustees. As of June 30, 2008, all asset classes
were within their acceptable policy ranges.
RETURN SUMMARY
ENDING 6/30/08
1 Year Ending 3 Years Ending 5 Years Ending 10 Years Ending
Month Second Quarter Year-To-Date 6/30/08 6/30/08 6/30/08 6/30/08
Total Fund -4.6 % -0.3 % -6.0 % -4.1 % 7.6 % 9.8 % 6.6 %
Total Fund Benchmark -4.4 -0.8 -4.9 -2.3 7.0 8.8 6.0
U.S. Equity -7.8 -0.4 -10.8 -11.6 5.6 9.8 5.3
DJ Wilshire 5000 Index -8.1 -1.6 -10.9 -12.5 5.0 8.7 3.6
Fixed Income -0.5 -0.5 0.3 4.9 4.0 4.3 5.4
LB Aggregate Bond Index -0.1 -1.0 1.1 7.1 4.1 3.9 5.7
Non-U.S. Equity -7.8 -0.7 -10.6 -8.4 15.6 19.5 9.9
MSCI All Country World ex-U.S.
-8.2 -1.1 -10.2 -6.6 15.7 18.9 7.3
Index
Real Estate -1.7 1.8 1.9 4.1 13.0 11.7 9.3
Blended Benchmark 0.6 1.9 3.7 11.4 10.6 9.6 8.6
Alternative Investments -0.2 1.3 0.6 8.5 14.9 14.3 11.5
Alternatives Custom Benchmark 0.9 2.9 5.8 12.0 12.0 12.1 13.4
The Total Fund's investments fell -4.6% during the month, trailing the performance of the Total Fund Benchmark by approximately
0.2%. Disappointing results came from the fixed income, real estate, and alternative investments components while U.S. and non-U.S.
equity outperformed their respective benchmarks. Each asset class experienced a negative return in June.
During the second quarter, the Total Fund fell -0.3%; however, relative results were favorable as the Total Fund Benchmark lost -0.8%.
The Alternatives Custom Benchmark is based on an annualized rate of return of 12.0%. Prior to 2004, the Benchmark was based on an annual return of
13.0%. Prior to 2003, it was based on an annual return of 15.0%.
The Fund's large cap growth managers in aggregate exceeded the return of the Blended Benchmark in June as each manager
outperformed. Holland exceeded the benchmark primarily due to favorable sector allocation while financials holdings such as TD
Ameritrade and Goldman Sachs outperformed the battered Index sector. The greatest contributions to Alliance's outperformance were
a significant underweight allocation to the consumer discretionary sector and strong stock selection among biotech and pharmaceutical
names including Alcon, Celgene, Genentech, and Teva. Sands outpaced the benchmark return on the strength of the portfolio's sector
allocation while National Oilwell Varco, Schlumberger, and Genzyme led individual stock contributors. Google, Apple, and Las Vegas
Sands were the largest detractors for the month. The NTI S&P 500/Citigroup Growth Index Fund added value as the Index
outperformed the component benchmark.
The Fund's large cap growth portfolio has performed favorably over the long-term.
The Blended Benchmark is currently the Russell 1000 Growth Index. The Blended Benchmark's historical returns prior to January 1, 2006 reflect those
of the S&P 500/Barra Growth Index.
The Total Fund's large cap value managers in aggregate trailed the return of the Blended Benchmark during the month as only Harris
outperformed. The manager's strong relative return was driven by an overweight exposure to materials stocks at the expense of
financials sector positions. Dodge & Cox faced steeper declines than the benchmark due to its positions in Wachovia and American
International Group, both of which experienced dramatic price declines amid organizational issues and ongoing loan portfolio concerns.
LSV lagged the Index as a result of both weak sector allocation and stock selection. Overweight allocations to the financials and
consumer discretionary sectors at the expense of the defensive utilities sector hurt performance while individual holdings Comerica
Bank, Huntington Bancshares, and Goodyear surrendered additional value. The NTI S&P 500/Citigroup Value Index Fund hampered
the aggregate return as the Index trailed the component benchmark.
The Fund's large cap value managers in aggregate outperformed the Blended Benchmark over the trailing one-, three-, and five-year
periods.
The Blended Benchmark is currently the Russell 1000 Value Index. The Blended Benchmark's historical returns prior to January 1, 2006 reflect those of
the S&P 500/Barra Value Index.
The Progress portfolio was added to the IMRF investment program in December of 2004. The portfolio currently invests in fourteen
underlying emerging investment managers. The underlying investment managers have varying investment styles, but in aggregate the
portfolio is benchmarked to the DJ Wilshire 5000 Index. Progress exceeded the benchmark in June as large allocations to Atlanta Life
and Piedmont added value. Palisades was the weakest contributor during the month.
The NTI MarketCap Equity Index Fund approximated the return of the DJ Wilshire 5000 Index over all time periods, while experiencing
slightly negative tracking in recent years.
The Total Fund's small cap growth portfolio exceeded the return of the Russell 2000 Growth Index during the month as Copper Rock,
Fortaleza, and Pyramis outperformed. Copper Rock's strong performance was attributable to companies which benefited from spiking
commodities prices including coal producer Massey Energy (+45%) and oil drilling supplier T3 Energy (+23%). Fortaleza was able to
advance within the health care and energy sectors though all other sectors were negative for the month. Pyramis continued to benefit
from a significant overweight allocation to energy stocks while materials holdings in aggregate also achieved a positive return.
Frontier lagged the Index as its overweight exposure to energy and underweight exposure to financials could not offset the headwinds
from overweight positions in the autos & transportation and consumer discretionary sectors. The manager has trimmed positions in
certain energy holdings in recognition of their sensitivity to a sudden drop in oil prices following the historic run-up. Underperformance
from Cordillera was almost entirely attributable to an underweight allocation to the energy and integrated oil sectors. Stock selection
results were mixed with consumer discretionary and health care holdings detracting the most from relative performance.
The small cap growth portfolio has fared very well relative to the benchmark over the long-term, outperforming considerably in each of
the trailing periods.
The Fund's small cap value portfolio exceeded the return of the Russell 2000 Value Index in June as the Investment Counselors of
Maryland portfolio outperformed. The manager established several positions in beaten-down industries such as aerospace, autos, and
retail. DFA shed -9.8% during the month with the small cap and value biases putting the portfolio at a considerable disadvantage given
the market environment. On the positive side, favorable sector allocation held up relative performance.
The small cap value portfolio in aggregate has outperformed the return of the Russell 2000 Value Index over each of the longer-term
periods shown above.
The Total Fund's micro cap portfolio lagged the Russell 2000 Growth Index during the month as DFA was a significant detractor.
The manager's lagging performance was entirely due to the portfolio's smaller cap composition relative to the benchmark's growth tilt.
Wall Street slightly outperformed amid wide return dispersions from its varying sectors.
Over the long-term periods shown above, the micro cap portfolio has significantly exceeded the return of the benchmark.
The Total Fund's large cap non-U.S. equity managers in aggregate exceeded the MSCI All-Country World ex-U.S. Index during the
month. McKinley led all managers as energy and materials holdings boosted its relative return. The manager is considering adding
positions in these sectors while they believe China, South Korea, and Canada are attractive from a country perspective. In addition to
correctly playing the materials, financials, and energy sectors, GlobeFlex benefited from strong performance within the U.K., Hong
Kong, and Australia. EARNEST Partners outpaced the Index with health care stocks making the greatest impact. Czech
pharmaceutical company Zentiva (+14%) and ICON Clinical Research (+7%) of Ireland were notable contributors. Despite failing to
outperform the Growth Index, Brown's favorable regional allocation, particularly overweight exposure to Japan and underweight
exposure to emerging Asia, offset poor sector selection and allowed the manager to surpass the primary benchmark.
Arrowstreet fell just short of the benchmark for the month and quarter and remains behind the Index over the brief since-inception
period.
Brandes had a lackluster month in both absolute and relative terms. The manager suffered from weak performers in the commercial
banks, communications equipment, and insurance industries, including Mizuho Financial Group (Japan), Ericsson Telephone Company
(Sweden), and AEGON Group (Netherlands), respectively.
The NTI EAFE Index approximated the return of the MSCI EAFE Index over the one-month and trailing one-year periods with positive
tracking during all periods shown above.
Genesis outperformed in June despite a significant underweight allocation to the energy sector. Solid performance from companies
based in South Africa and Taiwan boosted results on a country basis while technology and industrials holdings added value in terms of
security selection.
AXA Rosenberg outperformed the benchmark in June as avoiding highly leveraged financial companies continued to add value.
However, the manager is selectively adding bank stocks to the portfolio as attractive valuations merit.
The Fund's core fixed income managers in aggregate marginally exceeded the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index during the
month. Taplin Canida benefited from callable debt securities while the declining interest rate environment during the second half of the
month was welcome with a long duration exposure. EARNEST Partners approximated the benchmark during June as the manager's
high quality orientation offset disappointing spread sector returns. Since EARNEST Partners has added yield to the portfolio through
purchases following periods of spread widening, the manager expects its yield to drive future performance without sacrificing quality.
Each of the core fixed income managers has trailed the Index over long-term periods.
The Fund's core plus fixed income managers collectively trailed the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index during the month as none
of the managers added value. LM Capital cited weak security selection as the cause of lagging performance with holdings GMAC, CIT
Group, Hynix Semiconductor, and China Properties derailing results. BlackRock struggled during June as its bet on a steepening yield
curve failed to materialize. Western suffered from a blowout in spreads as the health of the economy came into question in June.
Financials and high yield corporate securities were especially harmful, while non-U.S. debt detracted as central bankers increasingly
signal tightening ahead. Core managers Ambassador Capital and newcomer Black Knight lifted the Progress portfolio to break even
with the Index.
The Fund's core passive fixed income manager, NTI Lehman Aggregate Bond, approximated the benchmark during the month. The
portfolio has closely tracked the Index over all trailing periods.
The BlackRock Enhanced Index portfolio trailed the return of the Lehman Aggregate Bond Index during the month due to a decline of
spread sectors as risk aversion returned to the debt markets. In addition, a steepening yield curve positioning modestly detracted.
Long-term performance for the portfolio has been favorable.
The Fund's high yield fixed income portfolio outperformed the return of the Merrill Lynch High Yield Cash Pay Index during the month.
The strong performance of the MacKay Shields portfolio was the result of the manager's defensive positioning while the high yield
market fell out of favor. MacKay Shields continued to be bearish on the economy but will slowly add positions in anticipation of a
rebound in the next year. Pyramis benefited from an underweight allocation to the troubled autos sector and print directory industry.
Excluding rental car companies Hertz and Avis also aided relative results.
*The Blended Benchmark reflects the previous real estate benchmark with the new real estate policy benchmark of NPI + 1.0% which was changed as
of January 1, 2007. As the returns of the NPI are updated quarterly, an approximation of the Index will be used during the first two months of each
quarter.
Ennis Knupp + Associates 23
MANAGER SUMMARY
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Alternative Investment Managers
*The Alternatives Custom Benchmark is based on an annualized rate of return of 12.0%. Prior to 2004, the Benchmark was based on an annual return
of 13.0%. Prior to 2003, it was based on an annual return of 15.0%.
**The Blended Benchmark reflects previous real estate benchmark with the new real estate policy benchmark of NPI + 1.0% which was changed as of
January 1, 2007.
26
Questions and discussion followed.
Approval of Minutes
The Master Trustee Report for the month of April 2008 was prepared by The Northern
Trust Company.
Participation of Townships
Township of Danforth
County: Iroquois
TWP Cost Rate: 12.12%
Number of Employees: 1
Township of Ophir
County: LaSalle
TWP Cost Rate: 11.57%
Number of Employees: 3
Township of Senachwine
County: Putnam
TWP Cost Rate: 15.52%
Number of Employees: 2
Bids
Priority Support for Suse Linux Enterprise Server for IBM zSeries
Low Bidder: Alliance Technologies
Low Bid: $26,082.46
Company: CCC/Avaya
It was moved by Mr. Ross, seconded by Mr. Rasins, to approve the items on the
Consent Agenda.
The Investment Committee voted to postpone the presentation of the 2008 Asset
Liability Study until the August 21, 2008 Investment Committee Meeting.
Next, the Committee discussed personnel changes in the real estate consulting
division of EnnisKnupp.
After questions and discussion, it was moved by Mr. Rasins, seconded by Ms.
Thompson, to approve the recommendations of the Investment Committee.
Summary: The Adelphia Recovery Trust (“ART”) filed suit for recovery of
the proceeds paid to bondholders as part of the Adelphia
bankruptcy case. ART alleges that the bondholders were partners
in the massive fraud that resulted in the Adelphia bankruptcy
and, therefore, are not entitled to preferred creditor status.
Pending: Oral Argument will likely be scheduled within the next 60-90
days.
Investments
It was moved by Mr. Shoop, seconded by Mr. Rasins, to approve the above
Trustee requests.
Vote:
Aye: Rademacher, Rasins, Ross, Shoop, Voller Faklis, Bochmann
Nay: None
Vote:
Aye: Rademacher, Rasins, Ross, Shoop, Voller Faklis, Bochmann
Nay: None
President Date
Secretary Date