Retired city workers say they’re suffering after losing health insurance
CHICAGO — It was a cost-cutting move that saved Chicago taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.
But the former city workers who were affected say there’s an untold human cost
— one that can’t and shouldn’t be ignored.
— one that can’t and shouldn’t be ignored.
Among the perks promised to older city workers — affordable health insurance in retirement.
But in 2013, then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced he was ending the benefit to save cash.
Retirees who started working before 1986 were hit the hardest.
They never contributed to Medicare during their employment — the city’s choice, not theirs.
As a result, many now don’t qualify for government health insurance, even at age 65.
“It’s a kick in the gut but I have to deal with it,” said former city worker Dan Sheehan.
The retirees can buy health insurance through the city. But they pay the full freight because Emanuel cut the subsidy.
For a single retiree, the annual cost is now more than $33,000, whereas before it cost a few thousand dollars.
“There are about 22,000 retirees — about 10,000 don’t qualify for Medicare,” said Clint Krislov, the retirees’ Chicago-based attorney. “They’ve left these people high, dry and sick to deal with it on their own. Thanks for all that. Now, get lost. What kind of a city does that?”
The retirees are suing the city. The case continues to wind its way through the court system.
In the meantime, they’re calling on Mayor Lori Lightfoot to restore the benefit.
Krislov said he asked Lightfoot’s legal team to qualify the 10,000 retirees for Medicare. That would cost an estimated $100 million the first year, though Krislov notes it would decline over time.
He said he’s still waiting on a response.
A spokeswoman for the city’s Department of Law declined to comment because of pending litigation.
These same people continued voting for Richie even after it became apparent to everyone that he had lost it and was mismanaging everything.
Who told them to retire at 50
ReplyDeleteSpot on once again. It's not hard to accumulate 40 quarters of social security/medicare eligibility. One can even get the benefit from a spouse's work record. I sure am glad I worked side jobs to pay for my kids school tuition.
DeleteHad 25 years on but not quite 55 years old
Delete25 was enough in the hood and I had no problem paying what the city took out of my pension check for medical then asshole pulled it all that’s the issue
City retirees and their widows are suffering. Which aldermen voted for this injustice?
ReplyDeleteShameful...Simply shameful
ReplyDeleteJust wait til the pensions implode.......
ReplyDeletethat rat bastard mayor did it to all city workers, not just streets and san...police, OEMC and the list goes on. for most, the monthly pension check cannot cover the monthly health premium. I know, i'm also affected and republican by the way, so save the voted for Richie crap.
ReplyDeleteMY heart just bleeds for those OEMC guys. Its really ruff working a second 6 figure a year job after retiring from police or fire.
DeleteNext they'll have to sell their second summer home since the city treats them so bad.
your ignorance out shines your intelligence. this is a guy who was a fire alarm operator in the old englewood dispatch center off the ryan that was taken over by OEMC.he retired from OEMC and got his health care benefits taken away from him by the rat bastard rahm along with several hundreds of other city employees that asshole kicked to the side of the road.
DeleteI find it hard to believe that all these folks weren't able to accumulate 40 quarters of meducare payments during after school and summer jobs, military service, jobs after graduating high school and college, side jobs etc. Also one would qualify if their spouse or former spouse had 40 quarters of social security/Medicare earnings. I started working in 1980 as a City employee and never paid a dime in social security or medicare taxes related to my government employment. Yet, as a responsible person I learned many years ago not to trust democrats, and to take responsibility for my personal well being. It was very easy by the way to accumulate the 40 quarters require. These thousands impacted by this must have been paid a very large salary in order to not have to supplement their income by having private sector part time work. Their spouses must have been on the Dole as well. Sorry to hear of this predicament, but they should have prepared for this event.
ReplyDeleteI have plenty of quarters from previous jobs for social security and Medicare the point is that asshole pulled the city healthcare from us who are not yet Medicare eligible at least in my case and I was not paid a large salary and my spouse was not “on the dole”
DeleteI apologize for jumping to conclusions. Would it be possible at this time for either of you to obtain employment with health coverage at this stage of your lives?
DeleteDon't for a minute think that they've stopped looking for a loophole to screw muni employees out of parts of their pensions. Only a matter of time before they are going to have to put an amendment to the Il.Constitution on an election ballot. So far Madigan has been successful keeping it off, but Mike can't stay in power forever and the next guy or gal will cave immediately
ReplyDeleteThey call it bankruptcy. Long overdue and will happen as soon as Madigan is out of office.
DeleteAgreed, and I think Mike"s number will be up soon anyway
DeleteDON'T CUT MY PENSION!!
DeleteI think bankruptcy is out of the question. The city pretends to be insolvent when it is really not. It has a viable tax base and the ability to raise taxes. No bankruptcy judge will approve a BK for the city of Chicago.
ReplyDelete30% to 40% of revenue goes into TIF Districts there is plenty of money!
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