DuPage delves into health, benefit costs

DuPage County Board members are trying to address skyrocketing health and benefit costs that they fear could threaten the county’s finances.

The board’s ad hoc committee on human resources Thursday will have the first in a series meetings to review the compensation for county employees and elected officials. The six-member panel then will recommend changes, including some that could be part of the county’s 2012 budget.

“The mission is to create a system of compensation that’s fair to the employees and fair to the taxpayers,” said board member Jeff Redick, who is chairman of the newly formed committee.

Redick said something must be done to address rising costs that occurred even though the county hasn’t given pay raises in two years.

Since 2008, the county’s health care insurance costs have increased 36 percent. And its Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund contributions have jumped about 43 percent.

“Up until now, the county has been able to handle those increases without the draconian type of cuts that you’ve seen in other counties and municipalities,” Redick said.

Committee members are expected to review pension benefits offered to county employees and elected officials. They also will analyze the county’s salary structure, overtime policies and “special compensation,” such as vacation time, sick days and other benefits.

One specific issue that might be examined is the county’s practice of giving departing employees cash payouts for unused sick time.

“We are going to look at what needs to be done for the long-term health and viability of the county,” Redick said.

He said officials also are going to “explore all options that are available” to prevent pension system abuses, including significant pay raises meant to boost an employee’s pension.

Input from DuPage business leaders will be sought to ensure personnel policies fairly compensate county staff while reflecting normal practices in the private sector. Feedback from county workers also will be gathered through a 14-member employee advisory group.

In addition to Redick, the other county board members on the committee are Paul Fichtner, John Curran, Debra Olson, John Zediker and Bob Larsen.

The panel’s inaugural meeting will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday in the county board room on the third floor of the Jack T. Knuepfer Administrative Building, 421 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton.