Leaders’ Retiree Healthcare Proposal Makes Its Way to the Governor

 On Thursday the Senate voted to concur with the House amendments to SB1313 that changes the bill into the retiree healthcare proposal from the legislative leaders.  The amendments repeal a state law that gives state retirees with 20 years of service free health insurance premiums.  The Department of Central Management Services will negotiate the premium rates with labor groups which will then also be used for retired legislators, judges and university employees.  Governor Quinn applauded the leaders for this bill aimed at lowering the cost to taxpayers while still giving retires access to quality healthcare and stated his intention to sign the bill into law.