Wauconda Township to discuss future of free spouse, child insurance coverage

Wauconda Township trustees plan to discuss an idea of ending free medical coverage for employee spouses and children, as provided under a current insurance plan.

Officials have listed the benefits discussion on an agenda for a meeting that’ll start at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at township headquarters, 505 W. Bonner Road in Wauconda.

Trustee Gary Thompson said the desire to save taxpayers’ money is driving the discussion. He said records show the current cost was $274,899 for a year of medical insurance for Wauconda Township’s 16 full-time employees who pick various options.

While individual employee insurance would remain 100 percent paid by the township, that no longer would be the case for the employees who have spouses, children or the entire family on an insurance plan, under a tentative proposal, Thompson said.

“It’s a time in our life where we can’t do that anymore,” he said.

Thompson said a year of spouse and children insurance costs to the township most recently was $140,000. He said officials at Wednesday night’s meeting intend to discuss what percentage of the spouse and children insurance tab should be charged to township employees.

Wauconda Township recently renegotiated a package with its insurance carrier and expects to save $20,000 for one year. He said asking employees to contribute toward the insurance costs of spouses and children would allow the township to save even more.

By law, Thompson said, the township would have to provide a 30-day notification to employees of any insurance changes.