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Retiree Health Insurance Targeted

Retired state and public university employees will have to kick in for their health insurance under a measure approved by an Illinois House committee. 
 
Currently, after twenty years of working for the state, the state picks up the tab for health insurance for retirees.

It costs the state more than $7,000 dollars a person ... and 78,000 retirees are getting the free coverage now.

Bringing that giant cost down is a prime objective of a measure sponsored by House Speaker Mike Madigan ... it'd allow the governor's administration to decide how much the state will pitch in for retiree health care.

 

"My view of this is that this is an early step in the budget making that we are conducting right now, during this month, for the next fiscal year, a significant step and a step we clearly ought to take."

 

The measure's also intended to be a bargaining chip, as lawmakers look to cut current employees' pensions. 

 

Unions are fighting both efforts. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees opposes the legislation. Joanna Webb-Gauvin of AFCME Council 31 argued health care coverage should remain part of compensation packages that state administrators negotiate with employees.

Jennifer Fuller joined Capitol News Illinois in July 2023 as the organization’s broadcast director. She will oversee the launch and operations of CNI’s new broadcast division.

Contact Jennifer Fuller at jfuller@capitolnewsillinois.com
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