SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The partners of Springfield city employees who are in civil unions will soon be eligible for health insurance benefits.
The State Journal-Register reports that the city’s Joint Labor/Management Health Care committee voted unanimously Tuesday morning to provide the benefits. The vote reverses a December decision. An actuarial review estimates the benefits will cost the city of Springfield about $67,000 based on a half-dozen people participating in the plan. That’s significantly less than the original estimate of $725,000 based on 65 new participants.
Benefits will start March 1. Gay rights groups in Illinois lauded Tuesday’s decision. Springfield Mayor Mike Houston says there will be no premium increases.
