County takes action while state debates

Pension reform is a big topic in Springfield and reform comes slowly. So we’re always encouraged when we see local governments taking action to reduce long-term retirement costs rather than sitting back and waiting for the state to act.

Such is the case in DuPage County, where we’ve been impressed with the changes brought forth since Dan Cronin was elected and took over as county board chairman.

Cronin is aware that 2011 is a time to cut back — be it the county budget, the county bureaucracy or county retirement costs.

Late last month, Cronin asked representatives from two dozen independent boards and commissions that he appoints to develop plans to offer services while saving taxpayers money.

A few weeks later he followed that up with a proposed $434.7 million budget that reduces county spending by $10.3 million.

“I feel a responsibility to do my part to try to demonstrate that we can do things differently here in DuPage County,” he said.

On Monday, staff writer Robert Sanchez detailed how Cronin and the county board are implementing changes to retirement benefits estimated to save DuPage County as much as $28 million over the next two decades.

The biggest change and one that mirrors what many private companies do is preventing future employees from receiving large cash payouts for unused sick days accumulated over long careers.

Before the changes, which go into effect Dec. 1, county employees could receive cash payments for up to 250 days of unused sick time when they retire. In addition, when they get that payout, it helps to boost their pension because it is based on their final annual salary.

State law won’t allow the county to deny current employees time they have accrued but they and new employees won’t be able to cash out sick days after Dec. 1. Because of that, the number of retirees has jumped from 25 a year ago to 104 this year, officials said. Cronin says that creates opportunities to consolidate positions or fill jobs with less expensive personnel.

“It (sick time) is intended to be security when there’s an illness,” said county board member Jeff Redick. “It’s not some lottery ticket.”

Indeed, it’s not. These kinds of costs must be reduced or eliminated at all levels of government because current expenses cannot be sustained.

And we agree wholeheartedly with Cronin when he says: “The weight of the pension benefits is sinking government at every level. So that issue is not over. There’s going to be an ongoing dialogue and we’ll be sitting at the table.”

We think Cronin sitting at that table will be a good thing. He’s shown he’s willing to make some tough decisions during a tough economic time. We need more of that at all levels of government.