Kane committee sends mixed message to employees on insurance

There are few gatherings of county board members these days that don't rev up the anxiety level for county employees. Wednesday was no exception.

The county board's Human Services Committee drafted a resolution that would see Libertyville-based Global Group Inc. become the county's new health insurance broker. The company will be charged with finding cheaper options than what the county currently pays for employee insurance in an effort to balance the budget.

In recent weeks, county leaders learned they could save as much as $371,000 a year by forcing employees to pay more of the premium costs out of their own pockets. Despite that, county board member Jim Mitchell said employees shouldn't get angry or distressed about changes to their insurance. He believes employees are experiencing too much anxiety when no changes have been decided on or locked in place yet.

"This committee is trying to get the best insurance at the cheapest price possible for employees," Mitchell said.

Immediately after that, board member Jesse Vazquez said while that's true, the board should be completely honest and say increases to insurance premiums are being considered.

"To say that we're not, and not turning every rock over, I don't know if that's true," Vazquez said. "I know I am looking at it, and I want to see what the best deal is."

There has been debate about whether or not watering down the insurance benefits for employees by increasing their out-of-pocket costs makes sense even it would save significant money for the county and taxpayers. Some board members have made the argument that health insurance and retirement benefits are the main attraction to taking a government job as many positions pay less in salary than similar positions in the private sector.

That debate will almost certainly revive when Global Group presents insurance options for the board to ultimately lock in place. Hiring Global Group, though, comes first. The county board's executive committee will debate the matter next. If hired, the county will pay Global Group no more than $79,000 to find the best insurance plan.